The fact of the matter is, no amount of effort put forth will eliminate the evil in this world. All that we can and should do is try to lead by example.
There will always be bullies, there will always be keyboard warriors and there will always be those who thinks that their wealth or privilege allows them a right to treat others poorly. There will always be crime and people will always be innocent victims because of that.
We need not be evil though.
When you’re trying to justify horrible behaviour, don’t. You’re better than that. When you’re thinking that revenge is the right answer, it’s not. You’re smarter than that. If someone tells you that vengeance is the answer, tell them they’re wrong. A temporary solution to a permanent problem is going to give you nothing more than an empty feeling in your heart.
Be good. Do good. Lead by example.
‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’ I hear this quote recited a lot, but I think people often forget about the message it conveys when they get angry. When in reality, it should remain applicable regardless of what happens.
Be the change. Don’t tell me that because bad people will always exist that you don’t need to be good. That your goodness couldn’t possibly matter. That shows weakness and lack of character. Are you either of those things? I don’t think so.
Goodness matters, every day. Kindness matters, every day. Be the change. Lead by example and let the bad people, the bullies and the idiots self-destruct with their own… because you know they will.
This is a much needed message. I pay a lot to politics and it kills me on the inside when I see our president doing dog whistles to his racist fanbase and taking away the rights of others. It’s exhausting.
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It’s so easy for politics to bring on a bad mood. There’s so much bullying spewed, not just in the United States now but in Canada too. It’s really easy to make you feel as though there’s no hope. But that’s the last thing we should be doing!
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And in the UK! Politicians aren’t the answer, they’re the problem.
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UK Politics has been a giant dumpster fire since the Brexit referendum. hahaha
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I just fell down an internet rabbit hole looking up the “be the change” quote. Turns out Ghandi stole it from Thoreau. Now I’m hoping it comes up in a pub quiz at some point so those few neurons haven’t been wasted in vain 🙂
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Yeah, over the years I’ve found a lot of quotes that have been misrepresented as to where they came from. Typically, if I’m not 100 percent certain of where they came from, I just try not to share them, or share them without credit, because I don’t need to misinform people. haha!
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Very right. The world already has a lot of bad people, it could only be fair if we consider giving it some good people, by being one.
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Exactly! If you don’t think there’s enough good in this world, then become the good you’re looking for!
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We know of the good due to its contrast with the bad. The bad serves a purpose.
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It absolutely does. More reason to be good and spread good. Right?
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Yeap!
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Bullies, and people with bad motives/intentions exist for a reason. As much as we wish they didn’t exist, good cannot exist without evil and evil cannot exist without good. You are totally right; Our goodness matters because we are responsible for ourselves and our actions. To do anything other than to be good (for example, being ethical and doing the right thing) would be irresponsible.
All “bad people” share something in common: selfishness. They live based on their own selfish desires and needs while disregarding and hurting people in the process.
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Absolutely. We can appreciate the good so much more because we’ve known the bad and what it can bring. Bad people are inherently selfish.
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interesting post… and very wise words of wisdom if one is to live in real peace on the long run, eternally
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Thank you ❤
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Really needed this today. Thank you for the reminder.
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You’re welcome. Thank you for reading ❤
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Whenever I hear, “be the change…” I reflect back to the guys that stopped being bullies or bad people because someone else did good to them…
I definitely believe that with the right communication, we can change the world one step at a time.
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That’s the right outlook. One day at a time… one person at a time. Be the change.
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I always love your posts. Where do you get all this great wisdom from?
I tend to be a little vengeful sometimes, so I really have to reel it back in from time to time. We are all a work in progress, but thanks for the great insightful reminder friend.
Hugs!
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We’re all human. We all have our days. The important thing is that we’re trying, that we want to change.
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Totally agree with you on that. Just have to take it day by day and do our best to be a good person. 🙂 Volunteering always reminds me of that and gives me a great recharge on positivity.
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Well said. One shouldn’t change his nature just because others are not nice with him or not treating him well. You shouldn’t change yourself because they are bad with you. If we behave like them, what will be the difference between them and us. You are behaving good because you are actually good not because of any external pressure. Let it be this way.
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Exactly. You should be good because you’re a good person, not because you’re putting on a facade!
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I agree. But yes, sometimes I become too rude. I somehow get impatient as to how such menial things people can’t understand. But then again, that is the only problem. Simple things have become the only complication and harder to be understood. Somehow, I fall back, observe and do nothing. And sometimes, I am too helpful. I hope I’ll get better. I’ll learn. I’ll hold my core strong whilst I be the change 😊
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Being self-aware is the best place to start. And just remember that you’re only human. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
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Totally agree, V. Buddhists speak of “loving kindness” and for me that should be at the heart of how we behave all the time, every day … and not just towards our fellow human beings, but towards all other living things and to the planet as well. If good people do not lead by example there is no hope for us.
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One – I knew I loved the Buddhists.
Two – Good people will be required to overthrow the evil if we ever want to make some serious change in this world.
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Right, as always. That’s how I brought up my lovely, kind, compassionate, considerate, mindful, well-balanced, sensitive,……….. young Dr sons up and I love the Goodness in them. I also love that they are the change of the future and they Lead by example
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They sound like really wonderful souls. I bet anyone who knows them is lucky to know them.
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Aaaww, thank you. Proud mum moment lol. Now they have adorable new wives.
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I have a sign hanging next to my door that says “Do good recklessly.” Not that I think I need a reminder every time I leave the apartment. But it’s definitely something to think about when it comes to the way we treat others while wandering around the outside world.
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It’s a good mantra to have. And honestly, it’s a probably a really nice piece of decor, and reminder for anyone who comes to your apartment.
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Love this. It is awesome!
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Thanks Jeremy!
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Oooooooo loving this post. We won’t ever be able to get rid of evil and bad people but if we ourselves choose to be good people we can help to change some people or give others hope. We can help keep other good people from slipping into a dark bad place. Always choose to be good and to be kind. 💕💯
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You summed up my own post a lot better than I did ❤ Kudos!
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Thanks for sharing. I often think there aren’t bad people, but maybe misunderstood people. Oftentimes, if we get to search further, there is often less badness than we think. Kindness should always be the first choice. 🙂
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That’s an interesting outlook. I would like to believe that the bad people are misunderstood, but I also think that might give the bad people an excuse… and they don’t need excuses, they need to be held accountable. You know what I mean?
I’m sure there are some people who are just misunderstood. And to those people, if we just work with them, we can probably work through their struggles. But I do think there are bad people too!
And you’re absolutely right, kindness should ALWAYS be the first choice.
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Such a great post. I also believe that we shouldn’t say things such as, “I’m not going to be like…” Instead of saying you’re not going to be like someone, just make the changes necessary to be the best person YOU can be.
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You’re absolutely right. Just do it. You can be it. All you have to do is do it you don’t need anyone to tell you.
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Agreed 🙌🏽
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I read your article there , and as I read the title, I thought, “But, there are always great people out there, and people doing good all over the world. There’s more good and great people out in the world than there are bad people and people doing bad. The problem is that the media focuses on the horror and doesn’t give enough notice or publication to the truly heart-warming, magnificent things that people are doing out in the world there. So, gladly, all we need to do is look, look in the other direction to see the good. Great entry, smiles. peace . artfromperry
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You’re right. A lot of the stories that are told are those of a negative nature. I’m not sure why that is. Perhaps we want to brace ourselves, warn for when the going gets tough. Perhaps we just overlook the good. Perhaps we’re hardwired to notice the bad over the good and that’s why it gets to prevalent?
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