High toned

 I can honestly say during my entire educational experience from Kindergarten through graduation from high school, I never knew the political position of any teacher, coach or administrative assistant. I also never knew their sexual preferences. In addition to that, I didn't know their religious beliefs or lack of them. Truth be told, for the majority of them I didn't even know their first name. They were the teachers, and their job was to teach the curriculum. I was informed, by more than one of them, I'm not your mother or your father! Be quiet and pay attention. And that is how I knew my teachers. Nothing personal, just business. At the end of the school year you may exchange pleasantries with them, even thank them, but you weren't their friend, you remained a student.

 That isn't to say I never admired and respected my teachers. Quite the opposite is true. Did I love them? No, that is a bit too strong a word to apply to those relationships. By far the majority of the teachers I had treated with me equal respect, to say they admired me would be a bit of a stretch. It was a reciprocal agreement between student and teacher. By keeping all the personal stuff out of the equation, a sense of calm and decorum could be maintained. It is my belief you need to be a bit detached to be effective. That applies to being a parent as well, you do need to detach yourself a bit, stand back and observe. You also need to stick to the lesson plan. You can not expect a child to rise to your level if you descend to theirs. Yes, I know, an old adage but one that is simply the truth of the matter. 

  After high school I joined the Navy, retired from that and worked in the private sector in several capacities. In the majority of the cases my relationship with my co-workers and indeed the boss, was much the same way. I didn't know their political beliefs, sexual preferences or religion. I had no interest in any of that because it wasn't any of my business. The only time I reacted to that was when someone made it my business. Fortunately, that never happened often. We all just went about our business, whatever it happened to be. At the end of the day we all went to our respective homes and did whatever it is that we were doing, with whoever we were doing that with. No ribbons, flags or banners. 

 Now, social media is another world altogether. Almost all you hear concerns politics, sexual preferences and religious beliefs, or lack of it. I am amused at how many profess to fully support and empathize with with the LGBTQ+ community while empathizing that they aren't that! Less than 3% of the population being fully supported by the 85% that claim they are heterosexuals. Well, at least on social media that is the case. You know it really isn't about hate, it is about 3% vs 85% and what is the normal and expected thing. It should come as no surprise to anyone that if you are promoting the 3%, 85% of the people will not agree with you. Probably better to just keep that opinion to yourself. 

 Yes, I engage in all those conversations on social media. I do so because others are making it my business. If you are posting about any of those things it is because you want a response. You are not guaranteed to get the response you hoped for. I don't just post things for myself to read or see, what's the point in that? I post in the hope that others will agree or enjoy whatever it is I am sharing. Doesn't always happen though and I embrace that as well. Diversity of opinion is a great thing. It usually serves to reaffirm my belief, I'm right, you're wrong. It's called discernment. How else can I judge right from wrong if I'm not presented with what is wrong? So, I thank others for that. Many of them are on the New York Times postings. If I'm bored I can always say something there and it will be met aggressively if it is common sense. Two genders! That declarative statement will start a firestorm of comments every single time. 

  All I'm trying to say here is it is better when you keep personal things personal. I know, seem obvious enough and a bit cliche. The only way people can get into your business is if you allow them in. Open the door and you can't be certain who will walk in. Hank Williams wrote a song "Mind your own Business." He says in that song, if you mind your own business, you won't be minding mine. He mentions how that makes other people feel "high toned" and I know exactly what he means. Whenever someone disagrees with you they are acting "high toned" aren't they? Yeah, they are. They should be on your level. And your level is always higher than theirs. It's just that they are acting as if they are, "high toned."