Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD ponders the hearts. - Proverbs 21:2
How does one justify dishonesty? By being dishonest to the self too, perhaps. Our actions and words may not always coincide with our intentions. But to live with that disappointment, one has to start down the difficult road of forgiving oneself. And forgiving self is nothing like absolving others, it means that one has to understand one's limitations, vacate long held dreams and ambitions and wake up to bitter reality - an end of innocence. This is such a trial-by-fire process that many times we choose not to accept reality so as to avoid the pain, by refusing to recognize the shattering of a dream. And to this end a logic builds in us justifying our actions or inactions. By avoiding the truth we give ourselves reprieves for the transgressions committed against the self since no law holds in such a domain.
If we were brought to trial for the crimes we have committed against ourselves, few would escape the gallows - Paul Eldridge
Doing the right thing is a tough decision to make. It is hard not only because of its consequences but more because the right choice is so difficult to identify. Indeed, it is almost impossible to define this notion of "right", but even with the assumption that it is defined and known, with all the inherent limitations that we are bestowed with, it would become crippling if every decision had to be weighed to the extent that it is determined to be infact "right". Yet it is the responsibility of everyman to own up to the decisions made, imperfect as they may be and understanding that there are consequences to actions and learn to understand and forgive oneself for not being right.
How does one justify dishonesty? By being dishonest to the self too, perhaps. Our actions and words may not always coincide with our intentions. But to live with that disappointment, one has to start down the difficult road of forgiving oneself. And forgiving self is nothing like absolving others, it means that one has to understand one's limitations, vacate long held dreams and ambitions and wake up to bitter reality - an end of innocence. This is such a trial-by-fire process that many times we choose not to accept reality so as to avoid the pain, by refusing to recognize the shattering of a dream. And to this end a logic builds in us justifying our actions or inactions. By avoiding the truth we give ourselves reprieves for the transgressions committed against the self since no law holds in such a domain.
If we were brought to trial for the crimes we have committed against ourselves, few would escape the gallows - Paul Eldridge
Doing the right thing is a tough decision to make. It is hard not only because of its consequences but more because the right choice is so difficult to identify. Indeed, it is almost impossible to define this notion of "right", but even with the assumption that it is defined and known, with all the inherent limitations that we are bestowed with, it would become crippling if every decision had to be weighed to the extent that it is determined to be infact "right". Yet it is the responsibility of everyman to own up to the decisions made, imperfect as they may be and understanding that there are consequences to actions and learn to understand and forgive oneself for not being right.
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