Shades of Grey: Government, Religion, & People

Some think that everything is black and white. I'm beginning to see everything as different shades of grey.

Having worked with people in an increasing variety of ways the past 10 years, in a variety of occupational and volunteer scenarios, I've been exposed to many, many different ways of being, seeing, believing, working, and living. Is one way worse than the other? Is one person's beliefs worse than another? Is one person's ethics worse than another?

For many of us, we will make judgements about others over these little things. We will close our eyes, our minds, and our hearts very easily over such trivial matters. We are raised in a family with a set of values and beliefs. We are schooled in a culture with a particular perspective on history, business, values, and beliefs. We are indoctrinated in our upbringing, or culture, or peers, and our heart, influenced to lean to certain truths that works for us. It can be steeped in peer pressure, family pressure, or simply having known no other truth we find it acceptable. When confronted with something vastly different or in opposition, we will tend towards defensiveness and even close-mindedness.

I've been guilty of the same but I've really challenged myself time and again over the years to keep my mind open and to explore the other side of the tracks. I seek to understand and to experience for deeper understanding why other splinter groups live the way they do live; or work, play, worship, etc. While some things do work or resonate for me, others haven't. While some things expanded my horizons, others have caused other collapses in health or well-being. All have been worthy experiences, although possibly, at times, poor choices for my life.

The worth that comes from this expansion of my mind and horizons has allowed me to witness one fundamental truth. As much as we are all different, with continued exposure to these varying influences of life and lifestyles, I have seen beyond the labels, beyond the stereotypes, beyond the religious beliefs, beyond the social status. I can look into the eyes and heart of my fellow-man and see another who is the same as me. The rest of it, is mere shades of grey.

Each human being engages in a life-path, within a given set of life circumstances dictated by family, social status, and the rest of these external influences. As they progress down their path in life, they're doing the best that they can. They're looking for the things that will find them a sense of validation, satisfaction, being known, and being loved. They make decisions with these same influences dictating some of their choices; both right and wrong. We've all been there. And yet, instead of seeing our brothers and sisters in life, we still tend to see the differences.

Yes, crimes are committed, hate is expressed, terror persists, and politics corrupt or engage in questionable practices. We perpetuate the classes, the differences, the hate, and the war. Judgement: why engage when you can disengage? Why argue when you can build bridges of understanding? Why declare war over differences when we can celebrate diversity? Why insist our way is the only way? I particularly declare this last questioning statement.

We can celebrate freedom, responsible freedom. We can honor differences, diversity, by setting our own best example of tolerance, honor, respect, and in doing so, create peace.

Lee Down is a Professional Coach, Trainer/Facilitator, Speaker, & Writer of One Man Can Human Capital Development that focuses on relationships, the key foundation to success in business and life. With more than 15 years professional experience and a thirst for truth and understanding, he focuses on the human spirit and human capacity.

Working with clients, he facilitates the breaking down of beliefs, barriers or obstacles that bring clients forward on their journey of discovery with spirit, energy, abundance, passion and purpose, integrating the mind and body experience. Working with business, he brings visionary leadership and relationship skills to the forefront that witnesses an empowered culture evolve and develop directly impacting the improvement to the bottom-line.

---

Premature Articulation

Ask anyone about what makes a good leader and they... Read More

The Happy Jar

I just delivered a free speech. I am a great... Read More

Leadership is About Growing Others - Its Not About You!

"Before you become a leader success is all about growing... Read More

The Leadership Vacuum

In today's fast moving, ever changing, and highly competitive world... Read More

3 Ds For Leadership Action... Dedicate, Direct, Dialogue!

"...And winged hope, with heart of fire, To gain the... Read More

Thoughtleading: The Art of Separating Yourself from the Pack

Lately the age-old business dilemma of how to stand out... Read More

Leadership Prep

So you want to be a leader? Or you want... Read More

Effective Leaders are (#3) Communicative

LISTEN, WRITE, AND ARTICULATE EFFECTIVELY: Leadership positions require effective communication... Read More

Why You Should Ignore This Advice

Doesn't make too much sense does it? Am I really... Read More

Two Leadership Traps: How To Avoid Them and How To Get Out Of Them (Part 2)

Here's how to get out of, or avoid, the "I... Read More

What Kind of Leader Are You?

There are literally millions of words written and spoken each... Read More

The Sink Or Swim Approach To Leadership

Looking around in most corporate environments today you'll find mission,... Read More

A Whack Up Long Side The Head Of Human Resources: The Leadership Imperative

When we perceive the simple center in the seemingly complex,... Read More

5 Power Keys For Leadership Success!

Did you know that you can successfully handle most leadership... Read More

Leadership Is Power: Test Your Ethics

"The payoff for the ethical person is a reputation for... Read More

Quality Leadership

The Lakota tribe of Native Americans has no word in... Read More

Having Fun In Leadership

"Don't measure your life by your goals, but rather by... Read More

Ten Qualities Of A Great Leader - Plus 1

Great Leaders are optimists first and foremost. Their tendency is... Read More

The Seven Army Values - Theyre Not Just For The Military

The Army defines seven values that soldiers should strive to... Read More

Leadership Skill Training

Quality leadership is a positive asset that is needed in... Read More

Exceptional Leadership Inspires the Best Effort in Others

There is a steady stream being written and taught about... Read More

Peek Inside The Heads of Amazingly Successful Leaders

Would you like to know what really goes on inside... Read More

You Make The Difference

What do you think makes your company successful? Your newest... Read More

Develop a We Focus And Not a Me Focus

"There's only one thing more contagious than a good attitude... Read More

Sometimes Leaders Need to Get the Boot

Today I stood up to a guy right in front... Read More

Would Socrates Be A Celebrity Today?

Last week, as I was standing in the checkout line... Read More

Leadership Styles and What We Need For the Future:

By definition a leaders leads a team to take action... Read More

Character -- Why It Matters In Leaders

"Character is much easier kept than recovered." -Thomas Paine"The best... Read More

Choose To Become An Encourager

"...I know that the only source of happiness is within... Read More

Get Angry And Then Get Results

Leadership is not about winning a popularity contest, it's about... Read More

Asking for Help

For many of us, asking for help is a difficult... Read More

The Three Faces of Leadership

This article was published in the Nov. 2003 edition of... Read More

The Power of the Leader Within - The Keys to Martial Arts Life Mastery, Key#1

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"Remember... Read More