11/08/2014
Been really pondering stuff like this lately and currently, I must conclude that it really is the individual belief system and personal experiences in the world that are the main and sometimes only factors that direct and influence personal choice. In turn, our choices and the behavior/choices of others directly influence our own behavior sometimes. See where this is going?
Only those who strive to live and act according to their beliefs are completely honest and trustworthy regardless of public opinion or any man's subjectification. It is common place for people to act (as they see fit) in opposition to or not in line with their privatly or secretly held beliefs. And like it or not, are living a lie (no matter how good intentioned), and that will always remain a personal matter.
It is the typically overlooked and ever elusive culprit, "intention," that is the underlying force responsible for most behavior. Only God and the individual knows the true intent behind an act of another. eg. I can believe that it is right to always tell the truth no matter the cost, but refrain from it selectively based on personal need or other criteria from situation to situation. The act of lying is still universally held as unethical behavior, yet when it's deemed necessary to avoid hurting another or protecting self interests, it is considered by most well-intended. Lying in itself is still wrong even under those circumstances because we weren't being honest to ourselves or others affected. That directly undermines and works in complete opposition to one's personal quest for living a true and honest representation of self. I believe most strive and agree living your true self when it is completely authentic and doesn't negatively impose or intrude on another in any unwanted fashion, is the only way to live and be received.
Remember, behavior is much like the clothes we wear or car we drive. It sometimes only represents a disposition or choice based on options available, which vary person to person. We can't judge a book by its...behavior, and must consider its intended purpose.
Intention cannot be subject to social, economic, or personal disposition (willful or imposed without approval on our person) and is just as good or ill reguardless who it originates. And it is for that reason we must not be quick to judge or assume based on behavor alone, but seek to undertand why and how. But thats rarely ever done.
We must start to ask more questions and be a little more interested of why a person "did that" or how could that person have gotten to a place to "do this." I suspect when we begin to look past the easy, our strongly held opinions of others or generalized beliefs will topple and with it any unwanted emotional baggage as well.
"Free your mind and the rest will follow."
