Are We Misdiagnosing People on Purpose

It appears we are using the word "hater(s)" today to describe and judge anyone who disagrees with us. Just because a person disagrees with my opinions, ideas, policies, or decisions does not make them a hater. I am afraid it is being used to manipulate others into submission or silence their voices of opposition. No one wants to be labeled as a hater, so the wilting of intestinal fortitude subsides to maintain a supposed good name. The problem is that when we silence the arena of ideas by word manipulation, we open ourselves up to becoming a society of mindless robotic humans who live in fear of expressing their opinions and thoughts.

We have to be able to withstand challenges to our ideas and not wear our feelings on our sleeves or resort to labeling and misdiagnosing people's motives. When our ego becomes the most treasured part of our being and we do all to protect it - then we are projecting that everyone's opinions that differ than ours do not matter. This requires everyone else to submit to our ideas and there is no option and if you dare oppose then the consequences will be you being ostracized and labeled as insignificant.

To be frank, what I just described above is the height of selfishness. Is this what we are spiraling into as a civilized world? The irony of that is that selfishness does not create a civilized world, humility does. The essence of humility is taking a sane view of oneself and thinking of others before ourselves.

By welcoming other opinions and opposition we actually increase the effectiveness of a plan, policy, or ideas because of drawing from different perspectives. Selfishness says my perspective is the exclusive and ultimate view while humility says let's hear all sides and permit wisdom to weigh all options and make a quality decision that benefits more than me.

Criticism is always difficult to accept, but if we receive it with humility and a desire to improve our character it can be very helpful. Only a fool does not profit when he is rebuked for his mistakes. If I do not accept constructive criticism and silence it by labeling the individual, I have shut off a facilitator of growth in my life. Let's remember that every person who disagrees with us is not a hater. They may be the means to development and maturity in our lives.
  

Proverbs 15:5  A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.