Halo and Horn Theory

Arab = Aggressive
Muslim = Terrorist
Gulf-Local = Lazy/Rich
Gamer = No-life
Asian = Stupid
White = Boss
Blonde = Dumb
ETC....

How many of us have fallen victims of the stereotype. We see people who ignorantly condemn all, for the acts of a few. This "cycle of hate" has been around for ages, fed by people's innermost evil; Jealousy, greed, and lack of insight. Those are but a few of the driving forces of stereotyping.

However, we should ask ourselves a simple question; what have we done to mitigate the ripple effect of stereotyping? Most likely, not a single thing, as most people find it easier to ignore than to fight back, which brings us back to square one.

A while back I came across a theory which was both interesting and humorous. It is called the "halo and horn theory" related to the halo/horn effect (Google it). It is a study conducted on a large body of people who fall into stereotype categories. Surprisingly, the results have proven that people usually adopt the stereotype rather than fight it.

Skipping all the technicalities of the study, If someone puts horns over your head, he would interact with you according to the stereotype, which makes you upset, and with time making you reach a point where you wouldn't care anymore, falling into that exact stereotype you have been avoiding, whether a lazy worker, being always late, irresponsible or an ignorant individual.

The bottom-line is, how can we resist the stereotype?

How many times have you left an impression on people that made them say, "Oh, i didn't know (people like you*) (aren't like that*) "*Insert stereotype category in both places". Whether it was your wits, a unique talent you possess or your thoughts and ideas on subjects, they are key to replace the horns people force on your head to halos.

With time, such stereotypes will vanish, leaving only positive thoughts in the minds of others, paving the way to eradicating stereotypes from our societies. Be a positive driver, and leave an impression that astonishes people, resulting in a bright halo above your head.

In the end, Halos shine, illuminating our surroundings, and possibly revealing new opportunities in our lives. ( BTW, i'm not referring to the halo in space that is made to kill all living things in the universe.. ;) for the geeks in here "Not stereotyping..")

Wave bye bye to your weaknesses

Screw your weaknesses! they don't exist.

They only do because you had to live with them for 12 years and ( for some people 4 more years). You experienced failure and you saw ugly parts of the production of your brain that you didn't want to know were there! (Ah crap i'm bad with speeches, I'm terrible at regression! .. wow i'm bad at writing AND calculating!)

It's so easy to feel incompetent and stupid, only because you were kind of forced to pass and excel things you didn't even like, but had to,because everyone around you seems fine. It's time to let go of that. If you're good at something, you're meant to be that, and do that, and yeh mix it up a little and challenge yourself, but just remember to celebrate your capabilities! I might be late in realizing that you are supposed to focus on your strengths, but i can't explain what a joy it is to finally realize i don't have to be good at different things, and can finally believe that i'm ..well...not stupid!!

Tonight i'm celebrating my traits.

A matter of love and future.

It was a night like any other, but it was her that felt different. Tonight she was a supernova that’s about to burst with an explosion so bright it would light up the night for years to come. Like a supernova she wanted to expel her insides, all her emotions and feelings that she knew if put into words would never describe the way she felt. If ever she tried to explain the way she felt the remnants of her words would leave a shockwave behind of all those who heard it, for not anyone could understand or believe what she was trying to express.

Day after day she would wish for a change, a spark to ignite the luminosity she knew she radiated day to day – but not to its fullest extent. Day after day whether rainbows or butterflies, sandstorms or cloudy days, plain or boring days those subtle changes, big to some, were not enough to entice her spirit, that is until she met him.

He was different, yet familiar. His words echoed through her head as she tried to assess the truth behind them, she wasn’t to be taken as a fool, after all this was a matter of ever after, and she was determined that her ever after be a happy one. One filled with laughter and love, trust and honesty, care and support, and children, definitely children. With laughter she would always appreciate what she has been given when she sees those who don’t laugh. Love to always have a reason to wake up in the morning. Trust to never worry again, and thereby not getting wrinkles and looking old too fast. Honesty for peace of mind and not keep track of what to say or examine every word being said to her. Care so that when her life comes to an end she can feel the achievement for caring for someone else as that’s what you remember the most. Support, because even though she may be strong, she’s vulnerable sometimes and needs someone to brush up her wings so she could fly. And last but not least children because they’re the joy of life, and she couldn’t help but smile around them, their innocence, the funny things they say, and being able to live through life all over again through them, but, yes there seems to always be a but in life, none of this would be possible without him, and now he might just be here.

He was the sun to which every sunflower would follow, would she be just another sunflower in a never-ending meadow? Or would she be the camouflaged yellow rose in the meadow that needs the sun but can face any direction she wanted? Yes, a yellow rose showing his affection would be a perfect sign for her, but how would he know that’s what she needed? She tossed and turned for nights, every part of her was begging for her ‘yes’ to his proposal, but why? Why would she feel this way after a few phone calls and meetings? Did she really find her soul mate? She did feel complete, and powerful is this the power Zeus feared when splitting up soul mates, the power of thinking that anything is possible with them by your side? Yes, its him, how can it not be if he makes her feel things so powerful that it could light up a night for many years to come.

She finally did say yes and that’s why she felt different on this night, she finally burst with joy and happiness, this was the beginning of her happily ever after with the love of her life.

Why are you trying so hard to be so different?

It really bugs me when people go above and beyond to prove they are different! I mean we all have our unique qualities and differences, and some of us do actually have REALLY different tastes than what mainstream media dictates, but what's annoying are those people who PURPOSELY force differences to just be different. For example, the won't listen to "pop" music because its "gay" and would rather listen to a garage+trance band that is practically tone deaf just to be different, or say they're into archaeology (random I know) just because many people wouldn't say that, or they wouldn't 'lower' themselves to watch stupid reality shows because they're above and beyond that, the list goes on...

One very evident example here is "Anime" and the love for "Japan". A few years ago the amount of people that liked anime and Japanese culture could probably be counted on one hand, make that one finger. Today, EVERYONE is into Anime and they're all "different" because they're basking in this different culture, and different genre of shows. Its NOT different when everybody is doing it, its mainstream now. You're not different, you're the same. You were different at some point if you were really one of the beginning few that were counted as the one finger and everyone had no idea what you're talking about when you said "I watch anime," but now I'm sorry to break the news to you but you're not different anymore. (I feel that way about superman, suddenly everyone is into him? but lets not go there :( ...)

We are all different, so stop trying so hard to be different, enjoy some mainstream and popular shows,music, books, clothes, etc... because it's really so much more fun when you can actually have a conversation about the things you like. I'm not saying you have to enjoy everything that everybody else likes but try it some time. I'm also not saying that you shouldn't like anything weird or awkward to everyone else because maybe you'll get someone into it someday (hope).

Anyways just wanted to get that off my chest. I feel much better now. You can stop reading now and google something weird like "bonzai kittens" and insert it into a conversation next time and be seen as weird and different. :p