Doing What’s Right

I’ve always had this misconception that doing the right thing consisted of making sure that how I affected people was considered. Like, it’s bad if other people are hurt. There is also the Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. It’s a great rule to live by, and I believe in it. But, it can be taken too far or misinterpreted. It doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t say or do something because I know how it would make me feel, and so I don’t take action. Well, the way I would feel is my problem, but I’m assuming that is how others would feel. It is much worse to assume people are going to feel or respond a certain way than to just say or do what you want. And, saying/ doing what you want doesn’t ever have to be wrong if the intention is always good.

I have on occasion wanted to question people because I felt they were dishonest, had ill intent, or just simply hiding something. Here I go assuming people of things when I don’t know or may never know. And, my intention is to find out why their behavior is bad accorinding to my opinion. So, of course, if I’m assuming they have bad intentions, the way I question them will feel like an attach and not be productive.

Instead, it’s better to ask people questions if you have the right intentions. I am practicing clearing myself of any assumptions I’m making and then if I feel I still want to ask questions, I make sure it’s for the right reasons and there’s no judgement lingering.

That gets me back to where I started with this blog entry…doing what’s right. It is right if I have good intentions. I’m not doing it for my own satisfaction, for “good karma”, or worse, to catch someone in their “bad” behavior. If you know you had good intentions and you did your best in that moment, then you should be proud of yourself. Any resulting behavior from the other person is more about them than yourself. One thing that can happen is they no longer want to talk to you. But is that so bad when you are doing the best you can, you’re being yourself and have good intentions?