Changing Ideas and Thoughts

Have you not felt dejected on how certain sections of our society doesn’t see evil in a lot of societal customs and rituals?

How certain things which have become “normal” over the years, appear just plain wrong, and yet acceptable as a societal norm ?

Whenever we’ve allowed ourselves to open up to new ideas and immerse ourselves into new experiences, this thought has definitely crossed our minds.

However, we’ve accustomed ourselves to react to those issues or line of thought abruptly. We question those concepts in a rather negative connotation that puts the people practicing those customs on the defense. We not only end up making them feel bad for what they’re doing and shouting loudly in their heads with, “whatever you’re doing, is stupid”.

In our head, the more questions we throw towards those concepts, the more the minds of those practicing it, will open up. They’ll be able to see through our eyes.

Questioning is good. And it definitely works as well.

But it isn’t easy to shred through age-old concepts with just questioning. More often, these make people defensive and the questions become a sign of disrespect.

Imagine questioning your grandmother on something you don’t agree with. You get the picture, don’t you ?

We should treat everyone who doesn’t agree to shun practices that aren’t right but part of their khaandan ki parampara (Traditions carried forward by generations) or as my grandma would say, “baap dada ke zamaane se” (From the times of your great grandfather). 

The only way to convince is to explain with love, on how something isn’t right. Our thought process can be put forward in front of them, but with love.

I was watching a Youtube video of Aamir Khan being interviewed for a “Women in the World” conference where he talks about Satyameva Jayate. He goes onto describe the process of conceptualizing the show, and says that they place a huge emphasis on hitting emotional notes to make people change the “normal”. You can watch it here:

This talk gives you an insight on how to make a larger issue heard and make people understand, shouting or ridiculing them isn’t the answer.

When we question people on their support or the lack of it for an idea or a personality, in a rather negative manner, they end up developing a defensive wall and worse case, they’ll even start an attack on your ideas to counter it.

Of course, we cannot change anything if people don’t want to, but if we intend to see a change, we should always try the Grandma approach of explaining to them with love.

What are your thoughts on this?

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