I am the most easy-going bum you could ever hang out with, really. But, I do admit that there is a difference in being easy-going and being APATHETIC. I am not apathetic. I am the most tolerant person you could meet--almost extremely. But, I do not tolerate hatred, fundamentalism, or violence. There is a difference between being intolerant (on a humane level) and being a doormat. I am not a doormat. APATHY and COWARDICE are not virtues. Today many young (and older) people want to completely deny reality and take their own mind trip on how anyone who gets some righteous anger behind them should just "chill". Well, when I have a drink or smoke, I chill, but when it comes to matters of the environment, human rights and civil liberties-- I REFUSE to "chill". Dig? I am as hippie as it comes, man. But, there's a little Abbie that comes out in me sometimes, you know? A little "Yippie"... And I wish there was some hip way of telling people this, but "chillin' " ain't fucking gettin' it done, baby...ACTION gets it done. Standing up against bullshit being shoved done our throats is not "intolerance", it is SURVIVAL. It is our RIGHT to live as FREE people, free from tyranny of religion and corporate greed and fascist lawmakers. Mellow is good. But, not to the point of stupidity.
I think it is insane to think being "mellow" is the answer ALL THE TIME. Only a fool tolerates all things. The word "intolerance" gets abused a lot. Should we tolerate hate? racism? elitism? coercion? If so, we may as well just commit suicide before those who are intolerant kill us and rule the world anyway.
Don't get me wrong, I'm probably not as laid back as you, but I definitely take action against things that don't sit well with me.
I definitely agree with you. Using anger in the right ways can accomplish great things. We all get angry, we all feel strongly about things, and I think it's unnatural to try to deny things and say that everything is just wonderful and we should all be happy and relaxed about everything.
Apathy is an evil trait transfering it to being laid back is impossible, I personally prefer neither and being hyper and anal all the time.
Most people meditate into a state of blissful happiness. I did too, then I practiced being angry on purpose in short bursts for no reason at all other than to be angry and stop it on a dime. What I learned is that a lot of people also get angry for no reason and look for a reason. Usually they end up focusing on the last bad thing that happened to them. And if they are with somebody, it's MISPLACED BLAME TIME>>>>>>>WATCH OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's true, if you don't want to be dumped on you sometimes have to get pissed off and stand up to people. I don't want to get into a fight with anyone but I will if I have to if that's what it takes to show some people that I'm not someone you want to fuck with. If you're going to be a pacifist, be one around people who like you.
to true man, the thing about acting cool around some people is first you're cool aonly if you do what they want, and second, if you don't..........be aware they can give you a hug a pull the cash right outta your pocket, so to speak.....oh yeah!