The excerpt - a misconception
If you think what you think about what is happening is not important, think again.
In the long run, what we think does matter. In fact, every idea we profess, and every action we undertake influences the formation of our own character. In the evolution of the person that becomes you, a difference of opinion with your parents should not be perceived as heresy, but as an opportunity for your own individual growth and development.
All of us are ruled by ideas. They lay the scaffolding on which we base our actions. At the end of the day, a person's character is made or unmade by the intentions behind her behavior. If you should tolerate an evil deed by looking the other way, you have already compromised your integrity even though you may think you have remained innocent and uninvolved. Eventually, a deception that you have secretly condoned in the hidden recesses of your mind will be routinely manifested by you in public without a second thought.
Young people may believe that ethics are irrlevant. Many seem to believe that good and bad have little meaning because nothing is absolute. Morality is only a question of opinion.
It is true, that evil has become so prevalent and so atrocious that our senses are numbed. When we see unwanted baby girls wrapped in newspapers abandoned on the streets we are confused as to what to do. Most people simply put on a cloak of indifference and walk by with averted eyes, because ignoring wht's going on and taking no action feels more comfortable, seems the easiest way.
But there is a price attached to this neglect which will eventually be extracted. By allowing corruption we will gradually form a callous over our own conscience and come to resemble the transgressors whose crookedness we have overlooked.
I may not have found out the true purpose of life just yet, but I know that happiness is not the result of a sudden stroke of good luck as making a big win at the black jack table. Even if you did make such a win, the surge of elation would probably only last for a few days but you would soon get used to your new status. And everything would gradually settle down as before.
Nor is happiness dependent on fortune, fame or longevity. The rich and famous are not necessarily happier than you or me; whereas longevity without good health is a fate worse than death.
I suppose the concept of what makes life happy is worth thinking about at this age. Open your eyes and look around you. When you have reached a conclusion after proper reflection, act accordingly.
In the long run, what we think does matter. In fact, every idea we profess, and every action we undertake influences the formation of our own character. In the evolution of the person that becomes you, a difference of opinion with your parents should not be perceived as heresy, but as an opportunity for your own individual growth and development.
All of us are ruled by ideas. They lay the scaffolding on which we base our actions. At the end of the day, a person's character is made or unmade by the intentions behind her behavior. If you should tolerate an evil deed by looking the other way, you have already compromised your integrity even though you may think you have remained innocent and uninvolved. Eventually, a deception that you have secretly condoned in the hidden recesses of your mind will be routinely manifested by you in public without a second thought.
Young people may believe that ethics are irrlevant. Many seem to believe that good and bad have little meaning because nothing is absolute. Morality is only a question of opinion.
It is true, that evil has become so prevalent and so atrocious that our senses are numbed. When we see unwanted baby girls wrapped in newspapers abandoned on the streets we are confused as to what to do. Most people simply put on a cloak of indifference and walk by with averted eyes, because ignoring wht's going on and taking no action feels more comfortable, seems the easiest way.
But there is a price attached to this neglect which will eventually be extracted. By allowing corruption we will gradually form a callous over our own conscience and come to resemble the transgressors whose crookedness we have overlooked.
I may not have found out the true purpose of life just yet, but I know that happiness is not the result of a sudden stroke of good luck as making a big win at the black jack table. Even if you did make such a win, the surge of elation would probably only last for a few days but you would soon get used to your new status. And everything would gradually settle down as before.
Nor is happiness dependent on fortune, fame or longevity. The rich and famous are not necessarily happier than you or me; whereas longevity without good health is a fate worse than death.
I suppose the concept of what makes life happy is worth thinking about at this age. Open your eyes and look around you. When you have reached a conclusion after proper reflection, act accordingly.
posted by 毓涵 @ 11:19 PM
2 Comments:
yes. the key points are to be contented and have good intentions in what we do. of course that might sound hard to accomplish sometimes. which is why we need to be reminded of our purpose in life.
sincerity in actions and intentions i think is the most important.
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