Daperture

My previous post ignited some thoughts on why some people choose to conform while others choose to become a hero, in the case where the heroine's actions aren't positively reinforced and celebrated.

It's really sad that our US Soldiers, albeit Reserve troops acting as MPs would denigrate and dehumanize their Iraqi prisoners. The pictures (NSFW) speak for themselves.

It seems that we live in a society pregnant with spineless minds fearful of generating opposition or unable to cope with the prospect of potential friction. What I'm saying is that we would rather conform against our values rather than stand up and risk ostracism and even rejection from our peers. Now we conform for a variety of reasons whether it be about our pride, expectations or fiduciary loss, or even a blend of the previous and more. Ultimately, in any case, self is more at risk than the greater good. There's a proverb, "My cold is worse than your cancer." Rare is the occasion that this statement isn't true, but I can hope.

The meaning of being a slave to any kind of debt is profoundly changed by this realization. The moment we place our lives in check to any person or institution is the moment we potentially slave ourselves forever. No one considers a car payment or mortgage payment a device to enslave them, yet for anyone who fears for their credit scores and financial liabilities, the very act of entering into a long-term home purchase (if said person lives paycheck to paycheck) inhibits that individual from being able to leave their job if say they realize that their values and employer's values do not align. It could be argued that the quitting process is merely delayed as said individual seeks gainful employment elsewhere, but is that truly okay? Is it okay to compromise one's value even if it's seemingly trivial for just a couple days or weeks while a transition takes place? That's up to debate of one's moral compass on the black or white area of where the various white, black and gray trespasses land. I'd have to argue that someone who has 6 month's savings set aside who pro actively made the decision to immediately leave a job that does not meet their moral expectations has far more power from landing in a situation where they must justify their compromise, if they would call it that.

So what is the difference between a whistle blower who doesn't fear social ostracism and the conformists? Proactive decision making. When I was first told about the power of proactive decisions versus reactive decisions, my mind could never grasp how to implement such advice concretely. Suffice to say, experience is teaching me the important areas to seek proactive decision making.

Ultimately, it comes down to the balance of proactivity to reactivity. Since I am not psychic I can not predict the future, but as I live life, I can make sure that I try to make more decisions ahead of schedule, on the proactive side.