Something to Be Offended By...

Sometimes, I can't help but realize that I am getting old! I say that because I must be old since I feel less and less able to relate to current social trends...

In particular, I struggle to follow the logic and train-of-thought belonging to those who seem to almost compulsively wander through the world, scanning their environment for any and all things they could possibly be offended by.

Don't get me wrong, I occasionally get offended by this and that, but I am definitely not addicted be being offended. It's a pure coincidence — and a pretty rare one, at that — when I end up offended by something (or someone) and typically it blows over pretty fast.

I invariably end up asking myself the same question: Where's the value of staying in a mindset of being permanentsly offended? IS there even one? Enlighten me!

Then I end up remembering something insightful a friend of mine observed, concerning freedom of speech:

"While you might be guaranteed the right to freedom of speech, you're not guaranteed any right to be AGREED with!"

Everybody in the world has an opinion about whatever they are involved with. But when they so loudly proclaim that whatever it is that they believe in is "right," I am quick to point out that it is absolutely right FOR THEM but their "right" is not a global absolute.

Right for you might not mean right for me. Just because you think carrots is the greatest food ever does not obligate me to agree with you (I don't!) and any insistence that it should be so is pretty much pure delusion... and I'm sure you wouldn't insist on killing or exiling everyone who doesn't like carrots!

And yet? When we look at much of the strife and conflict around us — particularly when we see extremism at work — it typically arises out of the rather myopic perspective that "If I think it's the greatest, of course everyone else also thinks so!"

I like to use carrots in my illustration, because lots of people see that particular analogy and recognize that it's rather ridiculous. But if we stop for a moment and remove "carrots" and insert a political, religious or social belief instead... we pretty much end up at the same place.

"Yeah, but that's DIFFERENT!"

But is it really?

I suppose it all speaks not only to the human ego, but also to the fact that we seem to be sliding into a world where people are ever more fiercely attached to their own "echo chambers" where they only feel safe around those who are 100% in lockstep with their opinions.

I'll be the first to admit that hanging with people who share similar viewpoints is nice, but categorically shutting out everyone who thinks differently, without a hearing, surely stifles personal perspectives... and growth.

I have a friend (who's a bit of a troll) who's forever sending me really outrageous articles from the fringes of conspiracy theories.

I don't try to argue with or debate him; I instead ask him where his sources are, and then follow up with a request for why that is a good idea.

I think it almost offends him that I am not offended by his various claims and about what is true.

Life is too short to constantly be offended by everything!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend!

How about YOU? Do you get easily offended? Do you have friends that seem to get offended by a lot of different things? Is it justified? Leave a comment if you feel so inclined — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!

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Created at 2026.01.16 22:45 PST
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