Your guide to a healthier perspective of life
“Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.” – George Washington
People are often incentivized to do nothing (or worse, to do the wrong thing) by being rewarded. Meanwhile, they are often hurt (financially, socially, etc.) by doing the right thing. The question is, do you have the intestinal fortitude to do what is right, no matter the consequences?
I can’t change anyone’s mind. You can’t either. We can’t force others to change their thoughts or behaviors. We can only hope to influence these things with our words and our actions – by doing what we feel is right.
Don’t bury your head in the sand and hope that a problem goes away. Talk about it. Be open. Be vulnerable.
A lot of people don’t speak up because they fear they will lose their job, lose some of their social standing, maybe reduce their status among their peers… But really, what’s the worst that can happen? If you are punished when you stand up for something you believe in, it will be worth it. You may get some backlash from a select few, but you’ll get respect from others, and most importantly you can keep respect for yourself.
In the end, hopefully you’ll realize that chasing attention and admiration from others is a futile game. You have to work on keeping your dignity and respecting yourself. If you do that, you’ll live a good life.
You build resilience by encountering and overcoming difficult situations. You build character by the choices you make when the going gets tough.
It is easy to do the right thing in times of peace. But when you’re being challenged? That’s when you need to step up.
Think about the long-term ramifications of your decision and if you will be proud of what you’re about to say or do. The same can be said of your inaction as well. Will you be able to look back and be proud by not doing something?
Hindsight is 20-20. We all wish we could have said something or done something different at some point in our lives. Try not to make today one of those days.
