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X. Coe's avatar

Never underestimate the importance of loyalty in many good people's minds/emotional landscapes. That's a fence where the conversation stumbles and what-about-ism and straw-man arguments ensue. When your walls are broken down and you look around and realize that you're on the wrong side, instead of welcoming the conquering army you double down, like the knight in Monty's Python's Holy Grail. Even thought it's hopeless. Because loyalty to and courage in defending a cause--even a wrong, stupid one--are still admired. You have to unstick yourself from the pleasures of standing strong with your cohort for a wrong cause, and that can take a long time when loyalties run deep. You have to want to change.

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jt's avatar

"You have to want to change."

IMO, that's where almost all the problems in the world come from. Or, rather, change happens no matter what. But initiating personal change is so, SO hard. Who wants that?

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Dec 25, 2022
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jt's avatar

It's a tricky balance. I can't stand the Way I am right now, myself. I'm learning to have as much compassion for myself as I'd have for a friend, if they were struggling. I think if I can do that, I'll be able to stay in the eye of the hurricane that swirls around these days.

TY for the reply, M Nona. "May You find what You're looking for."

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