"I want to be a good man...I want to do right..."
Humans are funny things. No better than animals operating on instinct when they're born. Selfish and inconsiderate. Wanting only for themselves all hours of the day and night as they never take into consideration the fact that you have to get up early in the morning to work. Learning manipulation early as tears and screams are nothing but a ploy to make sure they get carried. Wanting all the attention for themselves even though there are others in the room. Oh...you thought I was talking about infants? Nah, I was talking about some of the adults I know...
Good one right? I'm sure you know them too as they are ever increasing in this day and age. Older folk that should know better and don't. Is it because they weren't taught? No, it's because we live in a society that says "we're fine as we are" and there is no need to change. Problem is...it isn't true. Selflessness, honor and sacrifice are traits that we learn when we have our eyes open to how we can improve upon our own condition. Without open eyes to the truth of our condition, we can grow intellectually and even have some success going through the motions but remain immature to all else.
At base, everyone and I mean everyone...is exactly the same. As we grow, our experiences bring out all that is unique about each of us and hopefully, the best in us. All based on perspective that is based on vantage point. How do we become better? Change your vantage point to add to your perspective. Add to your perspective to be able to broaden your vision. The more you see, the more you process and the more you process...the greater the number of choices available to you beyond instinct.
Many ask me how I could know what so and so will do or say. It's quite simple. Guage their maturity level. If they are mature, they will be conscientious of their own thought process and you can measure out the many choices available to them. If not...they are infants that are capable of doing anything and everything to have their way through instinctive measures alone which in fact, are few. Animals acting on instinct are knee jerk in their responses. Never taking time to consider what is actually being said or done. Now, irrespective of our maturity levels, we all have base instincts that will always exist. What separates the mature from the immature is that the mature have enough sense and experience to keep the destructive instincts under control. The immature don't even care as they have yet to have that awakening that says..."I have a problem I need to work on". Today, that hour is drifting further and further into what should be considered adulthood. By that time, much damage has been done that needs repairing. This is specifically why I, as a parent, have been focused more on my children's character than academics or anything else. Intellectual barbarians are a dime a dozen...good men are hard to find.
I live, I watch, I live, I listen and never fully disclose all I see. The many souls that have come and gone through my life are studies in light and darkness but the soul I have learned the most from...is my own. To look and see my own darkness and light as they both reside at the base of us all. I understand myself fully and understanding myself allows me to understand you. Now I could use this to easily manipulate you or I can use this to help you. I have chosen the latter to my own detriment at times but it's only because I have given myself no other choice. Why?
"11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."
Get it yet? There are only a few that actually will which will always give those that do an immutable advantage. I'm out...
~Moses Apollo
No comments:
Post a Comment