Engage wisely…

Each and every day, we come across issues which leave us wondering what causes people to think the way they do. Things that have a foothold on their beliefs along with what influences them, such as the news media, life’s troubles or simply the need to always disagree. Some enjoy the benefits of arguing, debating and possibly changing ones mind in the face of opposing evidence. Let’s face it, people aren’t always crazy or misguided, most come to their decisions from a different outlook or an experience. From where each of us stands on a particular subject, agreeing to disagree isn’t a bad thing but sometimes you just want to cut your losses and get out, fast!

In a world overflowing with diverse perspectives and individual experiences, finding common ground can be a challenging endeavour. The importance of agreement, however, lies not in suppressing differing opinions, but in fostering a collaborative environment where understanding and unity prevail. Not an easy task in present times, that’s for certain.

Imagine a world where disagreement reigns as the default mode of interaction. Visualize conversations tinged with constant discord, hindering progress, and stifling innovation. It becomes evident that agreement serves as the understructure of cooperation, enabling societies to build bridges between diverse thoughts and forge a path towards collective growth.

Agreement is not synonymous with blind conformity; rather, it involves a willingness to acknowledge and respect the validity of alternative viewpoints. When individuals default to agreement, they embrace the idea that each person’s perspective contributes to a richer tapestry of ideas. This mindset encourages open dialogue, fostering an atmosphere where people can learn from one another, broaden their horizons, and discover common ground.

Moreover, agreement facilitates the creation of strong social bonds. Shared values and mutual understanding combine to form the foundation of harmonious relationships, whether on a personal or societal level. In the absence of agreement, a fragmented and divisive landscape emerges, making it difficult for communities to thrive and individuals to connect on a deeper level.


Moving to agree does not focus on suppressing dissenting voices rather it focuses on the importance of finding commonalities before delving into differences. It’s about compromise and collaboration, where the collective good takes precedence over an individual ego. Agreeing encourages a shift from an adversarial mindset to, hopefully, one of cooperation, bringing empathy and a concerted effort to understand different perspectives. The importance of choosing some element of agreement as the starting point, perpetual disagreement is often overtaken by the strength of a harmonius interraction.

Let’s face it, when all is said and done, most of us like to avoid conflict, but it turns out that conflict and disagreement can be quite beneficial. Enjoy it but engage wisely.

From the Writer’s Workshop:
Write a post on the word agree.
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Deep thoughts…

Not thinking about, or reacting to, most things in current times is an impossibility. At least for me and, of course, I think about this constantly.


Getting inside my head in search of the Off Switch is an exercise of futility, especially at three in the morning. It seems that each thought that I’ve done my best to compartmentalize allows me the same few hours of sleep before they start their nightly campaign to waken me. There’s no sense of order involved, not one predominant issue in the anxiety parade of nagging thoughts. They all come barrel-assing in at once.

We retire at night in anticipation of a restful few hours, not an easy task after watching the news, a movie or even reading a book. Sometimes, we carry the mental weight of work or personal matters with us to bed and any unpleasantries involved become unwelcome alarms in our sleep patterns. Each thought is part of us; conscious thoughts are controlled and unconscious ones may independently evaluate danger. This pretty much rules my sleep patterns, with a brain that’s focused on survival combined with a daily thought process which works endlessly to move past all that’s unpleasant.

My feeling is that thoughts are the consequence of what is and what has happened to us as well as the type of person we are. Our individual response to a given situation brings thoughts that are just some manifestation of our psyche and any specific situation which has taken place. Deep thoughts for some but not all. They’re just mine and I’m sticking to them.

From Writer’s Workshop..
.Share something that made you think this week.

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Boxed memories…

Another new year and out with the old, in with the new, as is often said. Yes, it’s been one of those weeks in my life. Unfortunately, this phrase doesn’t apply to our attic where a stockpile of all things that once were has taken on a life of its own. I’ve written about this before, citing boxes of photographs, baby clothes, household items and more, each item a reminder of yesterdays and loved ones. Someone reminded me that the contents of these boxes really don’t hold memories and I was advised that all such thoughts are tucked away safely in our minds.

I disagree. Think about it.

In fact, after again watching a movie called “November Christmas”, one particular scene made my heart smile when a still grieving mother opened a box with toys, once belonging to her son who tragically passed away years earlier. She reached into each box and shared them with a visiting little boy who smiled with delight as he played with each item. That once sad collection of memories sprang back to life with a chance to bring another child joy.


Sorting through years of papers from my children, and grandchildren, I’m quickly greeted with sparks of precious memories inside each box. Bittersweet reminders of how quickly time has flown by and, for a brief moment or two, I’m taken back to places and times I’d almost forgotten. Photographs of tiny faces peering out from baby blankets that I once held in my arms; now they’ve all grown and insist that they drive when we go somewhere. Collections of retro music or scents from boxes of Christmas decorations, each twinkle of nostalgia tucked inside lures us back to cherished and much simpler times.

At times, when rummaging through boxes, a toy will be stuffed rather uncomfortably inside and I recall how my children campaigned for that item, only to play with it for a week, Still, the thoughts that flow back are happy, even if life was difficult at that time, for whatever reasons, but the easier times helped to bring a balance overall.

We continue to grow older, time continues to move even faster. The best part about this attic conglomeration of “stuff” is the ability to pass it on and share, so that others can look back and enjoy a trip back in time, reflecting on the beautiful pieces of life as we once knew it. At least I hope that’s the case, where I’m concerned. Forget any monetary valuation on things deemed collectible, it’s impossible to put a price tag on most, especially all of those boxed memories.

From the Writer’s Workshop: Share something that you worked on this week.

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