The day I realized that opinions and tastes are not me was a great breakthrough. I don’t really think there was an epiphany. Realizing that I am not the sum of my opinions allowed me to live in a separate space from them.
No longer would I take others tastes or critiques of my interests to be a critique of me
No longer also would I assume the taste of others (or rather, my opinion of those tastes) necessarily reflect on their person either.
(for fun’s sake, I have to say I still hold the grudge a bit on those who listen to country music. I can’t be a perfect person, you know.)
This breakthrough allowed me to drop aspects of my personality that would get in the way of really enjoying the company of others. Freed from my pre-suppositions about the character of others based on their tastes allowed me get a fresh view of people. I was constantly amazed at how much my own prejudices were not only holding me back from enjoying things, but also how much they held me back from meeting truly wonderful people.
It also allows me to be more honest about my true connections with people despite their tastes, based merely on their personalities and peoples. This has led me to deeper friendships and and a more rewarding life.
So yay for that.
Though it does bring me sorrow when I meet people who still follow my abandoned behavior: Those who can not hear criticism of their tastes without taking it as a personal attack and those who judge based on such. I have to be sensitive to this, but I quickly realize the friendship will likely be a surface one.
You’re my role model, bro. Keep it up. 🙂
I’ve found a similar trend in my own life. In the past, not only was I critical of others tastes, but also tended to keep quiet about what I liked if I felt I’d be judged.
Now I find myself qualifying such statements with “I liked ______ against my will.” (Insert a lot of things in the blank. Like Dude, Where’s My Car – a movie I was determined to take offence to, but loved it despite myself.)
This is an affectation I hope to lose soon.
I love ya!
-C
Nice to hear from you! Thanks for the flattery. 🙂
Well, you know, there’s COUNTRY and then there’s ‘country’… 😉 but yeah. I have had to stop being amazed that I like such a wide variety of people–and I have some old friendships that persist even though I realize that in some ways we have little in common, but we still have a connection, and that is ok.
And I love having parties and bringing all the “groups” together. It just makes me so happy to have all my favorite people around. =)
You dislike country music?
Excuse me, sir, but how on earth can you go on a bender without the assistance of the late, great, Johnny Cash?
The cycles of life. ^_^
It is all normal and good.
Rob Gordon’s all grownsed up!
I like Johnny Cash. the “no true scotsman” tells me he’s not country. Neither is bluegrass or classic Country/Western, or Western Swing for that matter. Nope, the “not true scotsman” tells me they aren’t Country.
I sure am happier for it.
At least I’m not wearing any more Cosby Sweaters! Whew!
I obviously hate the troops. 😉
Actually, I’m pretty sure you just hate freedom in general, dear. That’s okay, I love you anyway. 😉
Ah. I see.
“Country,” in your world, means “Bubba Bo Bob Brain made fun of it.”
That’s a definition I can get behind.