We don't just communicate with each other in words, nor are we restricted to different tones of voice. We use body language, facial expression and a host of other subtle but crucial gestures. And for any exchange of information to be truly meaningful, it has to be an exchange! Why should I tell you something and expect you to listen to me, if I'm not ready and willing to hear back from you and respond to this? I know I am making an obvious point. But it is something obvious that should not be overlooked today.
'Always look on the bright side of life'- There is no sudden rescue or reprieve but then, if you can stay cheerful, regardless of what comes your way, how can any of it hurt you? Are you now clutching at a straw of hope in an ocean of negativity?
Where do the world's great authority figures come from? Are they born wearing smart suits and knowledgeable frowns? Do they emerge from the womb issuing orders and formally expressing an expectation of respectable behaviour from their parents and other family members? Surely, such power is earned, not inherited.
Surely too, it is never beyond contradiction. Who has the right to stop you doing what you now so much want to do? More crucially, who is allowing someone else to take away their own freedom? Don't do that.Imagine that you need to cross a road. You wait patiently by the pedestrian lights. The lights indicate that it is safe. You can see no evidence to the contrary.
But can you really take that as sufficient reassurance? What if some motorcyclist attempting to break the world land speed record were to come hurtling out of nowhere? What if a sinkhole were to open up under your feet, just as you began to step out? Yes, I know these are fatuous examples. But, then, so too are the arguments that you are now hearing against an obvious choice.
'Always look on the bright side of life'- There is no sudden rescue or reprieve but then, if you can stay cheerful, regardless of what comes your way, how can any of it hurt you? Are you now clutching at a straw of hope in an ocean of negativity?
Where do the world's great authority figures come from? Are they born wearing smart suits and knowledgeable frowns? Do they emerge from the womb issuing orders and formally expressing an expectation of respectable behaviour from their parents and other family members? Surely, such power is earned, not inherited.
Surely too, it is never beyond contradiction. Who has the right to stop you doing what you now so much want to do? More crucially, who is allowing someone else to take away their own freedom? Don't do that.Imagine that you need to cross a road. You wait patiently by the pedestrian lights. The lights indicate that it is safe. You can see no evidence to the contrary.
But can you really take that as sufficient reassurance? What if some motorcyclist attempting to break the world land speed record were to come hurtling out of nowhere? What if a sinkhole were to open up under your feet, just as you began to step out? Yes, I know these are fatuous examples. But, then, so too are the arguments that you are now hearing against an obvious choice.
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