Two Words Make All The Difference In The World

I do a lot of pondering in the shower – perhaps the humidity and steam open up my brain cells so that information can flow more freely. But, who knows? All I do know is that some of my best inspirations have come to me as I was sudsing up.

The other day – as I was doing just that – I had this epiphany. It dawned on me that we’ve all been told a great lie for the past-I-don’t-know-how-many-years.  And, that great lie goes something like this: “you have to do what is right for you.” I can’t exactly remember when, but I’m sure that I’ve spoken those same words to someone at sometime because that’s the lie I’ve been led to believe would help someone arrive at the correct decision when faced with tough choices. It’s a lie that I’ve personally heard at least 1,000 times myself from various sources – popular culture, psychologists, teachers, parents, etc.

So, the epiphany I had was, yes, we do need to do what is right. Period. End it there and not include the two words “for you.” Why? Because doing what is right – period – is objective and is therefore in alignment with what is true, good and beautiful.  It means that consideration for others has been taken into the decision making process and overrides our  human tendency to be self-serving creatures – you know, that annoying, selfish attitude of “what’s in it for me?”

I realize that doing what is right – period – is not as appealing as living by the lie of “doing what is right for you.” And, the biggest reason is that doing so will usually require something that very few of us want to do or experience – sacrifice. After, all who in their right mind sets out to consciously sacrifice their own wants, needs, comforts and desires? Well, thankfully, many folks do so in big and small ways each day.  They are the heroes among us – parents,  teachers, soldiers, police officers, etc. They are just some of the folks who come to mind when I think of those who do what is right – period.