If I know someone from Finland, and I really like that person, what do I think about Finland? I like the place and I think all the Finnish people are great, and I’d like to go there someday. Then the person turns on me. They become a jerk. All of a sudden, I hate Finland. People from Finland are jerks and I never want to go there.
Sounds crazy but this is what we do – we make up our minds on how we feel about people, places and things based on association and narrow samples of information.
This person reminds me of someone else who I like (or don’t like). This event is no good because I heard one time that… My kids like it, so I do too. My friend hates it so I do too.
Are our associations always valid? Do you have associations that limit you?
Hi Larry,
I like this. We Finnish people strive to be great. 🙂
I like your daily blog. It gives a good start for the day. Keep up the great work.
I am going to work to one TBF job today. Chrish Schmidt is going to be there June 12-13 too
These points are very true! We have to draw our own conclusions without associating them to particular biases, hearsay, or pselect information.
The gift of discernment is a powerful gift to have. Wise decisions can be made when we take time to discern what is taking place on the validity of the situation not just our feelings.
I have been very aware of this since I moved to this country 16 years ago. I know that I represent Hispanics and Puerto Ricans and that my actions will be evaluated accordingly. This is so important to me that I cringe when I hear of a crime with a Hispanic name because I know the whole race has been included with it. I also have led my life in a way that I hope uplifts what people think of Hispanics. This is all I can do. I have let go of this somewhat as I know I can’t control people’s way of thinking but it would be a lie to say that I don’t measure my actions to show and represent my race as best I can.