Radicals, and Radical Thinking

What exactly does it mean to be a radical thinker? Why is it an insult? Many people don't actually know the answer, and I believe that many people should be aware of the significance of being a radical, and if you are one or not.

To start, when one thinks of a radical, the first thing most people will think of would be anyone who stands up against authority, through protest or any other form of public display. The word was very much used in the 60's. A time of war and one of the most monumental times for radicals (radicals we labeled hippies). But in truth, to stand up for what you think is right, is just the act of a radical thought. It go's much deeper when dealing with the mind of a radical. Being a radical myself I can tell you it takes far more than being a protester to be a true radical. It all has to do with the process to which you perceive your reality! It's a gift really, a gift of critical thought! For example, a radical looks all the way through the philosophy's of

everyday reality. (Going to work, paying bills, your monetary net worth, what are people going to think of me if I leave the house in these clothes? Is my truck loud enough, is my house big enough?) Instead they see things exactly at there cores. The easiest way to imagine this would be in fashion. A conventional thinker sees something that is trending and immediately that thing whatever it may be, is now an acceptable to where in society. But if anything out of trend is warn, you can bet that you will get questions about why you wear it. Conventional thinkers make decisions based off of what others will think, although it's not directly, it's more of a programming inside them that was placed there during there up bringing. A radical on the other hand doesn't care why the something is socially acceptable, they look at the object, and make a quick decision based off of there own logic and liking.

Being a radical is no easy life style, many people who have the ability of radical thinking, actually end up in trouble more than those who are not. Radicals look at authority and laws as a contradiction to our true nature, instead of laws they see other people trying to dictate how they should live there life. They see why the law system is flawed and a lot of the times they will act against it to try and prompt change, and in doing so they find themselves in trouble.

So...what are they good for other than starting trouble? The best word I can assign a radical would be "innovator". It takes a very radical mind to not care what others think. They will wear what they want, believe what they want, and speak whatever they want! When others stay quite and hop on the ban wagon with all the other people in society, the radical will use the feet they were given to make there own path.

Hears a quick list of radicals through out history, I'm sure you know all of them!

Charles Darwin

Albert Einstein

Bruce lee

Malcolm x

Thomas Jefferson

Marlyn Manson

Martin Luther King Jr.

It's no argument that these people stand out in history as truly amazing humans. Because they chose to go against what was the norm they have changed the world in ways a conventional thinker could not have dreamed.

To be radical really means one thing. Living your life exactly how YOU want to live it and not caring what others think about you. At the end of the day all they really want is to be free. Although in this day and age, to be called a radical is considered an insult, I can't help and smile anytime a theologian (or anyone for that matter) calls me a radical thinker. Because in a world full of people who are governed by opinions and stereo types, I wonder free.

So wear the clothes you want to wear, and be who you want to be. In a world full of pressures it's very easy to live by rules and guidelines for every aspect of life. But once you learn this, you will learn that the possibilities are endless, and one Person at a time the world will drift away from a cold, doomed reality, to a reality where no one is judged, no one is separated by the pigment of there skin, or measured by the god they worship. Through those philosophies we will strive. Perfectly content with ourselves and the ones around us, to live in prosperity and freedom.