Relative Something

The mindset of yesterday’s post, “Simply Live,” is one way to align our thinking, but it isn’t absolute. There is a component of fighting for what is right, standing up for truth, that deserves to be recognized. Individuals can, and should, hold fast to ideals aligned with a greater good. We all like to cheer on the hero in stories about a person who takes the high road and perseveres against tough odds to achieve a noble goal in the end. In such stories, it is usually easy to spot the nemesis or arch enemy who has less altruistic intentions. It’s not always so easy in real life.

I like to think that those who battle for selfish agendas are actually aware of their underlying motives, whether they try to disguise it or not. I find it a struggle to feel sorry for them. I have even more difficulty reconciling those who choose to fight out of their unidentified fears and become ferocious and even viciously aggressive in doing battle for what they feel is a righteous cause. I understand that they can actually believe they are seeking the greater good.

All I can do is agree to disagree. Sometimes, it leaves me feeling a tad bit shy about taking a stand for what I feel is right, knowing that my position can look as ‘off-base’ to some people as I think theirs does to me. It just takes trust that I am being completely honest with myself. Well, that and enough common sense to avoid using the display of weapons or acts of violence.

Why is it so much easier to spot the difference between the true hero and the selfish villains in stories at a theater?