Monday, October 19, 2009

Just Wait...

Generally speaking when people around you discuss an issue, it isn't always pertinent to your life...yet. You can glean a lot from watching and listening as your friends and family go through different milestones in their lives. Sometimes, on the outside looking in, you can make assessments and judgments in a general global way (very much NOT specific to your friends and family...)disagree with the way the majority of people navigate it, and be told "Just wait until you're in it."

I think that's a mistake. Not that the judgment one makes from a far should be something one never steps away from, but if you think something through rationally, and come to a conclusion that a certain standard is the one you want for your life, I think you have a better chance of sticking to your guns. Now, it's entirely possible that once in a situation you'll see your guns should be abandoned, but I'd say, in general, when dealing with moral issues, or ethical issues, or just ways you want you and your family to conduct your lives, sticking to a high standard is the way to go.

So I wonder if the comment "Just wait until you're in it," is just a form of giving up, a way to say, "yeah, I thought that way too, but I've been beaten down." If that's the case with me, then at least I'll have gone into things trying to buck the system, and live the way I think I should live, instead of letting society and situations pre-determine how I will behave or react.

I can certainly be less vocal about it, but if no one is willing to change anything, then nothing will ever change.

3 comments:

brother lawyer said...

I am having a hard time starting this comment without being snide. I know that you can, on occasion, be a wee bit opinionated, and share the opinion with the world whether solicited or not. However, in this case, there really is something to the expression, because someone on the outside of a particular event cannot get a true feel for all that goes on while one is in the midst of whatever issue it is.

I used to feel the same way, however, experience and age have shown me that most things are not black and white. And there are always little things that others are not aware of in any situation that change the shades of gray.

fil said...

If you're starving or someone has gun to your spouse's head you would be surprised at how you can rationalize almost anything.

Best policy is to watch and remain silent. That way you won't ever have to eat your words even if you don't have anything else to eat.

FBB said...

indeed. Bu formulating an opinion and having a fame of reference before you're actual involved in the scenario can only help you to better navigate its intricacies.

It helps separate what is "done," from what is necessary, and what is really just a stupid thing that people are too much like sheep to go against, and an actual sentient human being with opinions and standards that supersede the "norm."