Conviction of Belief & Values

I watch a decent amount of television. Lately, I’ve found myself not really wanting to watch all that much. The writing has gone to complete garbage. Which is why I’m not all that worried about AI, since it’s going to pump out a ton of stuff, but it’s unoriginal and not compelling.

Action shows and movies are my go-to. Mixed with dramas. Again, a sucker for a good story. As I watch these shows, I’m trying to pull something out of them. A good story, a moral, a thought. Since good writing is good writing. Whether it’s in a book, tv show, movie, or any type of story. I can appreciate the art behind it. Plus, I’m asking “what are they trying to show me”?

In these action movies and really where the hero is a man of conviction, we root for them. It’s why Yellowstone is such a hit. Dutton is a man of conviction. He lives by his principles and doesn’t bend on them and it’s why we respect him. You might not like him, but you respect him.

Society today has been so wishy-washy on their morals. Hypocritical in their actions. Where it goes to where you can’t trust them. You get one thing today and another tomorrow. We don’t like that. Now, you might say you do, but you’ll never shop there. You won’t spend your money there. What you say and what you do have two very different outcomes.

When you are a man of conviction. When you are singularly focused on the outcome. When you are obsessed with getting the girl, rescuing the princess from the bad guys, protecting your family, or holding the line for which you believe we have such love for those characters. Even if it means they have to do something “bad” it was in line with their convictions. It did not sway from their moral compass, even if the “laws” of man disagree.

Being a man of conviction is difficult. It means saying things people disagree with and sometimes even on a fundamental level. Yet, when they deal with you either in business or personally they know what they are getting. This pureness of character is what we are seeking to some degree. Yet, we can’t withstand the difficulties that come along with it. Instead, we bend and bow to whatever the changing tides are.

Which is not courageous. Courage is standing up for what you know is right and the consequences be dammed. It’s to move forward when you are afraid.

Conviction is something that we are lacking in society. I don’t know what it was like at other times in history, or if we are just nostalgic about the past. The people that history does remember as great, as moral, as righteous – stood their ground on what they believed to be right and did not bow.

We could use more of this quality of character. Defending what we know to be right in all circumstances. Helping those who need help. Removing the hypocrisy from our own lives. Being a man of conviction.