Well Said/Live It!

Answer: "Not me! Not me!"
Question: What does Dad hear when he asks the question, "Who broke the lamp?"

That's all the proof you need that human nature is essentially evil. Children act irresponsibly. They break something. Accountability shows up at their door. They lie to avoid the consequences of their actions. You've done it. I've done it.

You would think that every human being, if pressed, would have to concede that human nature is self-seeking. Yet, it seems to be that the opposite is true. So many people in places of influence in this country believe just the opposite, and they act accordingly. This skewed world view has radically impacted the workings of our educational and judicial systems in particular.

Well, we can't fix the world. At least, I can't write out a prescription in this blog. But what can we do in our part of the world? Here are some thoughts:

• The first step is acknowledging the evil side of your own nature and to commit to work on yourself.

Actually, that's just one thought. But, if you can come even close to accomplishing this, imagine the changes that would occur in your life and in the lives of those around you.

How would it impact your thoughts? Would you check your thought life against a concrete standard of right and wrong? Would you adjust your thinking to include the needs of others, not just your own wants. Would you be as hard on yourself as on others?

How about your actions? Is it possible you might adjust your actions to align with that standard of right in ever-increasing fashion? How would you live out meeting the needs of others around you? Would you "remove the plank in your own eye" before pointing out the splinter in your neighbor's eye?

How about the impact on those around you? Would you become an example, even a leader, that inspires others to live by a higher standard of right? How many would benefit from your integrity, your sensitivity to their needs, and your guidance? Would your kids benefit from a solid understanding of right and wrong and take responsibility for their own actions as you do for yours?

It's amazing how big an impact might result from a single decision.

Well Said/Go Deep

My eyes were bigger than my tummy.
I've put more on my plate than I can possibly handle with this series of posts.

The topic is human nature--are we inherently good or evil? American author and keen observer of humankind Mark Twain seemed to fall squarely on the side of keeping a close eye on his fellow man. Not that mankind could never be trusted, but Twain seemed a firm believer that you should never turn your back for long.

I agree wholeheartedly. You only have to look to today's headlines for confirmation. Our country finds itself in a financial crisis. You can take all the expert commentary, all the technical economic explanations, and all the debate surrounding this situation and boil it down to a single catalyst--greed.

There were a lot of people looking out for number one, working whatever deals seemed expedient (and profitable) at the moment without thought about the ultimate outcomes on individuals or society. Their actions are being called "reckless irresponsibility" by some. Why not just call it what it is? Evil.

The essence of evil is acting entirely out of selfishness. I'm in the camp that believes every human being is born with a selfish nature. The biggest battles we have to fight are to overcome the evil that resides within. We have individual responsibility to live as moral a life as possible. When we don't...well, just look at today's headlines.

However, the accepted axiom in most circles today is that mankind is inherently good. Therefore, what evil exists in the world is the fault of circumstances that have turned good people into bad.

Extrapolate these two positions and you see a world of difference in not only how people view the world, but how they react to the occurrence of evil. There's no way I can possibly treat this topic thoroughly. But I can explore one aspect of a vast subject.

See you on Friday.

Well Said/Think About It

I enjoy a good turn of the phrase, especially if it comes from a consummate observer of human nature, like Mark Twain.

There were times Twain was dead on. Particularly when he addressed human behavior.

This is one of my favorite Twain quotes: "Always do right. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest."

That sentiment deserves to have it's own space. But here's my two cents. There's just not a down side to doing good. Yet, we see so many doing bad. Why?

For a man considered to be non-religious, Twain seemed to have a keen insight into how Christianity works. It showed in this saying: "Heaven goes by grace. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in."

These two insights have something in common that runs counter to a common axiom in today's world. Can you see it?

Think about it.