Embracing positive change and ditching deceptive traditions

Be choosy about the load you carry

Some folks fear or avoid change. They're comforted by sameness. Some spend their lives in one place, surrounded by familiar faces and philosophies. Sometimes they go places. Still, they take their old beliefs with them and hang out with like minded people. When trying new things, a part of them remains guarded. They wax sentimental about the good old days, never noticing that the good old days were rife with problems.

When it comes to politics, they favor tradition over fact. New ideas are a threat to their security. You can't blame them, really. The world is a scary place. Traditions give them something to cling to when waters are rising.

They are the opposite of me.

I thrive on positive change. Without it, we just keep making the same mistakes over and over. Without it, hatred, separation and exclusion reign. Just like they did in the “good” old days. That's right, the good old days weren't so perfect, were they? Anyone who thinks they were, was a child at the time or wasn't paying attention.

Not all progress is an improvement. I'll agree with that. However, some is vital. You know, like making “All men are created equal” a true statement about our country's foundation instead of being lip service for slave owners to hide behind. Because some of us never have been treated equally, have we? Be honest. You know it's true.

There are other examples, of course. Politicians weren't any cleaner back in the day. Oh, there were a few decent men. There were evil men too. I say men because there were either no women or very few. Truthfully, that hasn't changed much either. Just enough to fool people into thinking it has.

There was violence and war in the “good” old days too. Violence was swept under the rug. War was painted up as patriotism. Poverty was toted as rugged individualism. All three false images were manufactured to boost profit for a select few, just like they are now. Don't like that idea? Don't hate the messenger. Hate the truth and work to change it for the better.

Change is good, you guys. Or it can be with a compassionate, caring mindset that isn't steeped in illusion or ulterior motives. Be careful, though. Rebellion can be deceiving as well. There is violence in revenge. And there are good traditions too. Just don't accept them at face value. Because some of them have two faces.