Thinking of love and hate, honesty and dishonesty as extensions of myself helps shape how I build relationships and how I act. The truest honesty I show to others is reflected in how I extend honesty to myself and share it with them. Those who are not honest with themselves are also not honest with others. If I don’t forgive myself, my hatred for others also fosters negative feelings within me. I can accept others in myself just as much as I accept myself. My well-being always comes first, with others coming second. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Rice has been the staple crop of the East, while wheat has been the staple of the West. Rice requires more water to produce than wheat. Rice farmers had to contend with the availability of water, which favored collective farming. Wheat could be grown with less labor than rice. Rice farmers lived collectively, while wheat farmers lived individually. Collective agriculture led to the development of societies that were governed by village rules. On the other hand, individual agriculture led to cultures that valued personal freedom and respect for individuality over communal rules. Patterns of agriculture have indisputably influenced social structure and culture. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”