Preconceived Notions

     Steve and I were talking the other day about some of the silly, preconceived ideas that pop into our head when we see or hear certain things.  We know that we subscribe to some unconventional ideas and know that makes us look different than most others in society.  Therefore we were wondering at some of the things, that we do, outside the norm that we think are odd at first glance when we see others doing them.

     Whenever we see someone walking along the side of the road, even on a sidewalk, we have an immediate thought.  The thought that we have is that the person is poor.  Isn't that crazy!  We walk all around town, yet, when we see others walking, we jump to that idea.  Why?  Has our society brainwashed us so much that we can't imagine choosing to walk?  Why do we think a person is poor?  Shouldn't we jump to the idea that the person walking is health conscious or frugal?

     How about kids playing in the park after school?  Our gut reaction is to think that the child is so poor that he doesn't have anything to play with at home.  When did this shift in thinking occur?  There was a time when people didn't feel the need to put up, say, a basketball goal in the driveway.  Why do that when there were plenty of goals at the park?  I wonder if my generation was so programmed about "stranger danger" that we can't let our own children out of the yard. 

     I am going to make an effort to change my thinking.  I am going to assume that people are making wise choices about their time and money.  I am not going to look at someone spending time outside, in public areas, and think they are poor or shiftless. 

     Next time you see someone doing something outside the norm, don't assume the worst.