Am I doing the right thing?

Growing up as a quiet kid in a large and diverse family, provided me with a few options when engaging with others. I could lead, or rebel against the leader, or I could (quietly) follow. Most of the time I tended to do the latter. I had a lot of what I’d call strong personalities in my family, some of them quite a bit older than me. At the time I didn’t really mind although I didn’t always feel comfortable doing the things we ended up doing.?

We are hugely influenced by our previous experiences, especially as a kid, but it’s a relief when we realise we don’t have to follow the same habits or thought patterns now that we’re older. The interesting thing about that realisation is how deep it can actually go. In that, how much of your current experience it can apply to.?

I believe that everyone is naturally good at heart (although there are obviously some that bury that under a heap of bad behaviours). Somewhere in my past I learnt that I should “do the right thing.” Until recently I felt bound to this and for the most part felt good about following this adage.?

Today I had a bit of an insight on this philosophy I held close. It didn’t change the statement but I did question my motives. Who was I doing the right thing for? In some cases, especially when it didn’t feel great, I realised I was doing it so others would see me in a good light. I was doing it for my own ego. I’d forgotten that when my feelings weren’t pleasant then the quality of my thoughts were also poor. That led me to wonder what was right and wrong but I’ll leave that hairy topic for another post.?

While I might have been influenced, naturally biassed or had my personality shaped by my childhood, I can still rely on those inbuilt feelings to determine if my current thinking is on track. I’m going to continue to do what I feel to be the right thing but I’ll be sure I’m doing it for the right reasons and I’ll use those gut feelings to help guide me.?

Enjoy your week,

Tim.