As I have sat here over the last hour, I have contemplated and pondered what AAR's were present throughout my blog. My topics range from religion to the Zika virus. Each post was thoughtfully typed and put together. I read and reread each one. I went as far as trying to pick apart each post to find what AAR's were present. If I am honest, I struggled to identify any. Maybe it was personal arrogance or I simply failed to identify them.
While reading through numerous posts by my peers, I began to see things they identified as problems in their writings. Many of them dealt with religion and the apparent ideas that had been implanted into their minds because of their religious upbringing and mindset. So I decided to dive deeper into my religious post, trying to conjure up some AAR. After a few more minutes of deep thought, I finally identified my AAR, it was my reservation. My peers were willing to open up and not hold anything back. They allowed their thoughts to flow into their writing without much use of a filter/sensor. One class mate, went as far as admitting that he felt the Mormon church to be crazy, of course explaining why he felt that way. I could tell that was a courageous statement for him to make because a good percentage of our class make-up has to be Mormon or have some kind of Mormon-affiliation.
Myself, on the other had, has sought to remain relatively neutral, stating what I think people would want to hear/read. Maybe taking a neutral stance to show respect for all individuals because of the effort to avoid offending someone. Yet, what is posted is a heartfelt blog post. I just may not say all that I want to say pertaining to that particular topic. I have some strong feelings, especially when it comes to religion. I just backed off a lot because of that neutrality I sought. Don't get me wrong, I have a deep love for people off all faiths or even no faith. Take our conversation in class about coffee as an example. Professor Young asked us to put ourselves somewhere along a scale as to where we viewed coffee and our stance on it. I did not raise my opinion, due to the reservation I put forward. But due to religious beliefs, I choose to not drink coffee because of the health risks I have heard of and because it is a commandment in my faith to not drink it. These are the types of things that I am talking about. I hold my opinion to myself because of the reservation issue. Maybe it will take courage to truly open myself up and express more of what I think instead of finding those neutral beliefs I want to share.
Society may have some influence upon my thought process, teaching me that I need to have a sense of political correctness. I need to be reserved in expressing my writing because someone out there may be hurt because of something I say. To seek peace in whatever situation possible. Yet, to control my voice is not what the Founding Fathers would have wanted. Freedom of speech was included in the First Amendment for a reason. Opposition in thought and idea is what makes America so grand. This country teaches people to be diverse and unique. No two people are exactly the same on this planet. So that should carry over to my ability to share what I have to say. I am entitled to my thoughts and beliefs just as much as the person that I met in the grocery store.
If my thought process is to be reserved, then in order for me to fix this AAR, I need to insert a solution(s) into my writing. Though the solution may be simple, it is easier said then done. This style of writing is something that has caked up over the years of being in schooling and writing the numberless amount papers required of us as students. The solution needs to be a willingness to risk and trust my readers as I begin to open up about the thoughts I have pertaining to the different topics. I hope people enjoy my writing now, but I am sure they would appreciate if I shared my thoughts in a deeper manner. Their respect for what I have to say may equal the respect I share for their thoughts. As I continue to write on my blog, I will make a concerted effort to open up more in my writing and share those deeper/more intimate thoughts I may have pertaining to life.
