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Devils Advocacy

At times, I have been characterized as "over the top" in being the devil's advocate on various subjects. It is my intention to merely "stir the pot" a bit, and sometimes provide a different perspective on any given subject or state of affairs ... even if it is only a "potential" scenario. Not to say that I don't believe what I'm saying, nor do I intend to aimlessly ramble and upset the feelings of others. Still, it is my nature to put the "other side" ... so to speak, in your face, if for no other reason than to get you to define, for yourself and me the truth of things. By doing this it also helps ME to decipher other perspectives that I have overlooked.

While in junior college I heard a Sociology teacher once tell the class something that stuck with me. He said "People, whatever you do in life, whatever you obtain from this class, let me ask you to aspire to GET WITH WHAT IS. Don't base your beliefs only on what you want or have been taught. Base them on the reality of the way things really are." Generally, in any given dispute, there are some legitimate points of difference. Whatever your feelings, try to be a realist and see things the way they really are. Not just the way you would want them to be. "GET WITH WHAT IS. "

A friend of mine once told me that my devil's advocacy was just another form of "one-upsmanship'". This set me back a bit, as I had to consider the truth of it. At the very least it might come across as THAT and offend others. Not an impossible human attitude. We all can fall prey to our own vanity and just "wanting to be right". Something to always evaluate. Should you find that anywhere on this web site, please forgive. My intent was only to "stir it up" a bit and maybe be a catalyst for some free thinking as well as providing some entertaininment. Getting a smile out of you or even a good disagreement is stimulating. I would hope, through it all, you can see that my heart is good. --Michael--

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