“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.” ~Elie Wiesel
A survey was once conducted on a college campus. A pollster approached a student and asked, “What do you know about the two great problems infecting college students today: ignorance and apathy? The student shrugged dismissively and said, “Don’t know and don’t care.”
Indifference is the Silent Killer of Possibility
Indifference puts a slow stranglehold on the throat of potential. It is what separates those who accomplish great things in life from those who wait for governments or luck to give them what they lack. It is the difference between those who are self-directed and those who see themselves as victims to a hostile world or painful personal history or the vagaries of fortune.
The Antidote
The antidote, of course, is to simply care. Care enough to move and plan and prepare and do. Care enough to see and to see clearly. Care enough to become something more than yesterday.
Care enough to change some small part of the world, something in your corner of it, something within your circle of influence. Care enough to rise to the occasion and step up to the plate and get in the game of life and play with everything you’ve got.
Care enough to do something about your dreams, hopes and aspirations. Care enough to discover your passion. Care enough to prepare for your future.
Even if there is no one else to care or encourage you; even if everyone gathers to belittle, degrade and doubt your ability to reach your goals, be that one person who cares so much that you are propelled above and beyond all the doubters and naysayers.
The cool thing is that when you get all the way in the game, both legs off the fence, running the bases, life becomes quite exciting and deeply rewarding. Things happen. Life happens. And you’re right there in it, an active participant, a player in your own game, the captain of your own team.
Now that’s the best seat in the house at any game with the stakes as high as they are in life.
Your turn
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Good point, but the real question is, what causes indifference? It is not always possible to will yourself to care. Caring is natural, and if we’re not caring, then there is some misunderstanding that is causing that. Perhaps it’s perceived helplessness, a feeling or unworthiness, or simply needing to branch out and create something else. Indifference is a strong cue to be curious with your own mind.
Bethany recently posted … Don’t Let Fight-or-Flight Define Your Life!
Thanks Bethany. Great insight. But I’m convinced that caring is a bit more malleable than that. I think there is a degree of “willing” ourselves to care. I can sit bored in a lecture or decide to approach the speech like an investigator, searching for something useful in it. The difference in how much I care for the talk is significant. By altering the way we choose to think about something, we can alter how we feel about it too.
Still, I think you’re essentially correct, that looking underneath the hood of indifference is important. This post was more a short get-off-your-fanny call-to-action than a how-to instruction manual.
So very true! And I would suggest the cure for indifference is to do that thing you’re most passionate about–despite the odds, despite the trouble. And despite what well-meaning family and friends say. Do that thing. Indifference cannot live there.
Great advice, Susan. Totally agree. And yet there are some who don’t see monetary results, or who progress slower than anticipated or who get bogged down in the minutia of what they love and start losing the passion. It’s in those moments that we can use a reminder to stick to it, or change things up or reevaluate your passions or to just get refocused and re-motivated and to get back at it.
SO true, Ken. I’m a multi-published author (both fiction and nonfiction), and about ten years ago, I allowed the publishing business to break my heart. For a time, that passion just felt too expensive. But it was ultimately just as you said : “Care enough to do something about your dreams, hopes and aspirations.” When I dug down, I DID care enough. And did do something. The passion returned, and so did the success 🙂
Again, thank you!
Susan Mary Malone recently posted … 10 HARSH REALITIES OF A MONDAY THAT I CAN’T ESCAPE
Than you for this post
In addition to what you said. I believe indifference is some kind of loss of hope. I think if a person truly believed he can reach his goals he will hardly become indifferent. Just an opinion though
You have catch up the right point. I appreciate the your step. To get success in life we have to check out the hidden true of success. Man is driven by money and sex. I belief this.
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