My father, General Chick Cleveland, has given some great advice over his 92 years, and I am sharing some of it here on my blog in small doses. I hope it means as much to you as it does to me!
Below are three pieces of advice that are particularly relevant right now in our starkly divided political climate.
Be balanced, look at the other side – Every story has more than one perspective, and every side believes it is right. Don’t get so caught up in your own view that you can’t see someone else’s, or worse, that you refuse to see someone else’s. Assume people come to their conclusions about a subject from a place of intelligence and that their reasoning is at least as good as yours, even if it points the other direction. Seeing both sides gives you a new perspective and makes you a more balanced person. Debate should lead to a respectful understanding of the other side, even when you don’t agree. That disagreement is healthy.
Daddy is conservative in his politics, especially regarding national defense, but has grown rather moderate in social policy. He has had overwhelmingly positive experiences directing both the regional United Way and the Alabama Department of Human Resources. He has seen social programs work and believes they are good for the community. He knows first-hand the dangers of handouts and entitlements, but believes they in no way create more evil, nor do they “enable” everyone who takes advantage of them. Quite the opposite – when implemented judiciously, they have stunningly positive effects.
Daddy’s reasonable and pragmatic approach to intentionally hearing what is happening on the other side of a debate has been a major influence in fostering balanced views from many people who have worked with and for him.
Be open-minded – There is so much to this world, you can’t go around with a narrow and myopic point of view. If you do, you are missing the majority of what’s out there! Open your mind to other perspectives, cultures, opinions. If you don’t, you are willfully living in ignorance.
Don’t take anyone’s word for it – Always check to see if the facts are true. There are many statements and statistics bandied about to prove points, but do your own research to see if the facts hold up. Be a skeptic. Think for yourself. Don’t be afraid to challenge a mainstream notion.
These three tenets are a bedrock of Daddy’s belief system. He is a critical thinker from the word go, and these lessons may be the most important of all.
Listen and Think.