I saw the neatest analogy, recently, about blogging, ( Aint' it Funny... )and a box of chocolates, which reminded me of this story of Forrest Gump in Heaven.
I have discovered since I started blogging that there are an awful lot of differing opinions on here, and on just about any subject. I get a few of them in my comments, and I try to allow each one to express his, or her opinion, while hoping all the time that no one will get too offended, or get their feelings hurt. I try to express my own opinion as tactfully as possible, and with as much sensitivity as the topic allows, but I am not sure that I always succeed.
The thing that surprises me, is how something can be viewed from so many perspectives, and yet each person feels, adamantly, that they are right. I am not speaking of those commenters to my blog, particularly, but of the myriad of blogs found on here--the bloggers and their commenters.
Forrest Gump in Heaven
Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven. He is met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself. The gates are closed, however, and Forrest approaches the gatekeeper. St. Peter says "Well, Forrest, it's certainly good to see you. We have heard so many good things about you. I must inform you that the place is filling up fast, and we've been giving an entrance quiz for everyone. The tests are short, but you need to pass before you can get into Heaven.
Forrest responds "It sure is good to be here, St. Peter. I was looking forward to this. Nobody ever told me about any entrance exam. Sure hope the test ain't too hard; Life was a big enough test as it was.
St. Peter goes on, "I know, Forrest, but the test is only three questions: -- What days of the week begin with the letter T? -- How many seconds are there in a year? -- What is God's first name?"
Forrest goes away to think the questions over. He returns the next day and goes up to St. Peter to try to answer the exam questions.
St. Peter waves him up and says "Now that you have had a chance to think the questions over, tell me your answers."
Forrest says, "Well, the first one how many days of the week begin with the letter "T?"
"Shucks, that one's easy. That'd be Today and Tomorrow."
The Saint's eyes open wide and he exclaims "Forrest! That's not what I was thinking, but.....you do have a point though, and I guess I didn't specify, so I will give you credit for that answer."
"How about the next one?" "How many seconds in a year?"
"Now that one's harder" says Forrest, "but I thought and thought about that and I guess the only answer can be twelve."
Astounded, St. Peter says "Twelve! Twelve! Forrest, how in Heaven's name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?"
Forest says "Aw, come on, St. Peter, there's gotta be twelve: January second, February second, March second. . . "
"Hold it" interrupts St. Peter. "I see where you're going with it. I guess I see your point, though that wasn't quite what I had in mind, but I'll give you credit for that one too.
Let's go on with the next and final question. Can you tell me God's first name?"
Forrest replied, "Andy."
When St. Peter asked how in the world he came up with the name Andy, Forrest replied, "You know, St. Peter, that song we sing in church: "Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me."
The lesson: THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW, and just because another person doesn't see things the same way or understand the same way that you do, does not mean that it's wrong.
Author Unknown
*Now, I know that this story is meant to be humorous, and I can go along with that last paragraph to a degree, but when it comes to certain things, such as how one treats another, or if they live life in such a way that it is offensive and harmful to another, I will have to stick to my own personal convictions.
There are elements of society, violating the laws, trampling on the rights of others, causing general havoc and chaos, all the while feeling that they are right, entitled, and have a perfect right to do so. And there are those who stand behind them, encouraging them to demand those rights. That's just wrong, their point of view is wrong, and they will never accept another point of view.
In light of this, I can never agree that just because their view, or understanding is different, does not make it wrong. It is true that many things we can overlook, and agree to disagree, and even laugh about, but on certain issues there is just no middle ground.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were more Forrest Gumps in the world?
