Free will is a hell of a thing. By its very definition, we misinterpret free will as something we have complete control over. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, our free will allows us to make choices, discern right from wrong and choose the path on which we walk. But that doesn’t mean that these choices are always in our best favor.
Over the years, one of the things I’ve noticed is that people usually don’t acknowledge the destructive nature they have on their own lives. Often causing their own suffering, they make choices and do things that anyone watching from a distance can easily see as wrong or improper. But we rarely ever realize that on our own.
Free will allows us to act at our own discretion. However, our discretion is not always in our own best interest or the interest of those around us. That’s something I’ve learned the hard way, especially in my line of work.
I’ve often written that opinion and advice are simply that, and a person is free to accept or reject that opinion and advice at their leisure. But as intelligent beings, we must acknowledge that opinion and advice must be at the very least heard if not accepted. This is because it’s often the only way to genuinely realize that we may be on the wrong path.
Then again, someone else’s opinion or advice may be incorrect as well. After all, we’re all different and one person’s perspective may not be the same as ours. The important thing to remember is simply this: if the choice you make causing damage or suffering in another, it’s wrong. If the choice you make causes damage or suffering within your own life, it’s wrong. And last but certainly not least, if you make a choice or cause an action that you KNOW to be wrong and you do it anyway, it’s definitely wrong.
It’s often difficult to see beyond our own immediate wants and needs, and sometimes the prospect of screwing someone else over (for lack of a better term) to meet our goals may seem appealing and even ideal. But I can promise that all things eventually come out in the wash. And if you’ve done wrong, that wrong will be exposed. So do right. Be honest. Be true. You’ll be amazed at the feeling of freedom you get from always being honest and doing right. And you’ll come to find how much easier and less complicated it is. Choice is never easy. Hey, it’s not meant to be. But knowing what the end results will be should be a no brainer. ☯
The Blogging Buddhist 