Doing The Right Thing

Our life is about shades of grey. I however, am one of those stubborn people that find it difficult to understand how anyone can live without certain things as a given. For me, as a blanket rule, certain things are good, certain things are bad. Certain things are fine and certain are unacceptable no matter what. To be that is what makes an individual – that is what defines and creates a character and who and what one stands for. But like I said, the world around me is blurred lines.

A son who wanted to help his family but couldn’t, chooses to walk away in frustration. To him, he couldn’t control what he wanted to so it was ok. To me, you don’t walk away no matter what. You stick through certain relationships over time and tide. Because its the right thing to do. Yet, I know, that to the do-er, walking away is equally right – he gets to live his life, they continue the way they are and life moves on. It can seem like a win-win.

At another totally disgusting extreme, a manager makes a pass at a worker in his office. He knows she is sustaining herself financially and in need of money, he knows she is unmarried, his wife is away. He can give her money, a raise and other perks – she gets security and solves her problem, and he solves his. To him I presume, it could appear like a win-win.

The cabbie on the road is stopped; he is asked how much he will charge. He sees opportunity in someone who obviously does not know the ways of the city. He doubles his rate. The person who needs to get somewhere gets there, innocent or uncaring of how much has been paid. The cabbie makes a quick extra buck – it could be a win-win for all.

Life is being increasingly viewed by tinted glasses. Seeing things the way they are no longer appears to be a requirement. The concept of right is right and wrong is wrong does not hold true for an increasing majority. What is right for me is right, and what is wrong for me is wrong is the new way of life. But where does that leave identities and what a person stands for. Perhaps, no one stands for anything anymore – the world is now probably full of chameleons – they stand for grass today and rocks tomorrow.

Hum of the Day

Shades of grey are easy. Mixing any two colours for a new one is also easy because you can choose the quantity of two very different elements and make it what you want. But human beings, humane characteristics’ and fundamental goodness of the soul is not a colour. A character with too many shades mixed together is just murky. Each one needs to stand for something or soon, no one will know where anyone stands- including themselves.