mental manifestations

One of the things I learned over time is that life becomes less black and white as you get older. Right versus wrong tend be very relative since there can be many factors that decide what is a proper course of action. Hard, known facts will never change. One plus one will always equal two (in a base 10 numerical sytem). However, what we know (or think we do) will not preclude our will to act based on how we judge or interpret that knowledge.

For about twenty years, we go through educational system where we are taught basics and fundamentals in various subjects. We are told what to do or how to do, but why we do is something that I have always felt was lacking. I came to the conclusion that it is that can’t be taught; it’s a more personal learning experience that has to be realized on its own.

It is considerably frustrating conteding with people who act upon the notion of doing something “the right way” when there are clear, multiple alternatives. As long as there are good reasons why choices are made, I could care less about what the actual choice is. However, that is not an invitation for stupid choices. Knowledge is a powerful thing and should be used responsibly.

Whenever someone asks me if there is a right or wrong way to do something, barring moral situations, when there isn’t a clear answer I always have to answer, “It depends.” Then I typically have to follow-up with various why one would choose to something one way as opposed to another method. I believe that a good solution should be found as long as it is the best solution for the situation.

I am seeing this more and more as I grow older. Many people seem to lack this foresight and become stuck on a detrimental path or become too preoccupied with minutiae. I myself have down this road before, and I try to make myself better from it. The end goal is what really matters, but it shouldn’t be a justification for amoral means. What we do or how we carry out our life doesn’t matter as much as why. Without it, there is no point behind anything.