The world is full of differing views. That’s for sure.

Growing up, I always thought that the contrasting opinion of each individual was beautiful. I loved hearing other people’s opinions and was always fascinated by the fact that each and every person had something he or she believed in and would fight for if it came down to it. A defining feature in the human essence is passion: emotion and opinion. Inevitably, one person’s opinion will differ from another’s, but it is up to the person to decide how he or she reacts.

I adore discussing with others. I loathe arguing. Yes, I believe that these two desires can be satisfied simultaneously. This is achieved by having something I like to call an “open mind.” One can accept that someone believes differently without arguing about it. Whereas discussing can be interesting and help open your mind and help you learn why people think as they do, arguing isn’t going to solve anything. One side is not going to prove anything to the other.

Arguing usually provokes anger and frustration and it rarely resolves the issue. It’s not going to change someone’s views. It will probably divert them from the opposing view even farther and then serve to evoke the ongoing stereotype for both sides that the people of the opposite stance are hardheaded, stubborn and fail to see the basis of the others’ argument.  An argument is what you make it. If the person decides to rebut everything by becoming angry and defensive, it only projects an illustration of immaturity. One part of sophisticated and interesting discussion is to take someone’s view, consider it, analyze it and accept or refute it, and if the latter, find other ways to conclude it. A disagreement of opinions does not have to be frustrating—it can be enlightening.

So, what I’m trying to request is to respect other people’s opinions, for goodness sake. Who cares if someone believes differently than you? Personally, I’m glad that we all see the world differently. If we all believed the exact same thing, this world would be a pretty boring place to live. Live and let live. Accepting that someone else does not believe strictly the same as you is not that hard to do.