For

I just read something that has very much been one of the foundations of my thinking.  The author was talking abut the American Declaration of Independence.  He made the point that the authors of the document did not start by declaring what they were against, but what they were for.
I must admit that is the way I think.  While there is heaps that is right with this world there is heaps that is wrong.  There are causes everywhere.  I could get angry about injustices and nail my involvement to the mast.  When someone spoke to me, they could know very quickly what I was against and what motivated me.
Yet that is not what I am about.  I am about what I am for.  I have found that what I focus on becomes bigger and bigger.   My anger could be huge.  All-consuming in fact. What I am against I can study and have heaps of facts about it.  I could present my case forcefully.
Thing is, when I see folk that way inclined, I never think “I want to be just like them.”  It could be just me, but I don’t think that way.  There must be heaps out there, because many people join many causes all the time.
I guess I am big on balance.  So often I see people become passionate about something that needs changing, and it is like they swallowed an angry pill.  That is no to belittle some things that matter.   Some things need dealing with urgently.  But there is a way to tell me that can lead to me possibly getting on board in my own way.
What really gets me is how people join something they perceive can lead to a positive change, and they tell me how to act without acting that way themselves.  For me, credibility suffers big time when that happens.
I saw Norman Gunston eating a lolly and interviewing a famous actor.  He asked did the actor want a lolly.  The actor said yes.  Unbeknown to him, the lolly Norman gave him was not the same, and it was terrible.  The actor (incredibly politely) told Norman that was the worst lolly he had ever had.  One look at the actor’s face convinced me. 
One look at some who have adopted a cause, tells me joining it may not be a pleasant experience.  Sorta like the worst lolly I have ever had.  I may agree with them passionately, but I would rather be just about anywhere else than talking to them.
There is heaps that I am for.  What I am against I will do my bit to rectify in my own way.  I am not convinced that if others get their way, they would not try to force me to embrace what I still need some convincing about.  Even if I am convinced, I will never try to impose my standing on another. 
I guess the reason is based on one of my motto’s.  “Do to others as you would be done by.”  I don’t want someone else’s will forced on me, and I do not want to force my will on anyone else.  What is a choice for me, should be a choice for someone else.
To me there is heaps I can be for.  I am happy to focus on them and have them become bigger.  What I am against I will do my bit about.