Two Inches (oh, sorry - 5.1 centimetres) from Being a Jerk
I was just that close. I was even excited about it. I was ready and willing to stick it to someone who had hurt me. I felt justified.
T-minus 18 hours to go until show time and I got my wake-up call.
That wake-up call came in ethics class this afternoon - not too much of a stretch, I know. However, though it was wrapped in secular packaging, this class sent me a powerful Christian message: I am responsible for how my actions affect those around me. The concept that really hit this home is called "the veil of ignorance." The idea is that you design a system and a way of organizing roles in society without knowing what role you will have. For example, try to design a social system that includes slavery, but without the knowledge of whether you would be the rich man or the slave. Wouldn't you do things differently if you didn't know how you would be affected?
Not a lightening bolt realization you say? Well, in general, I would agree. However, today, I saw with sharp clarity how that applies to every situation, no matter how wronged I feel by someone.
Granted, my planned action may not have had its intended affect. It wasn't an overt humiliation. That, I would hope you know by now, is not my style. Funny thing is, hurtful actions, whether overt or subtle, are not usually my prerogative at all. I guess I just didn't see it as potentially hurtful. I saw it as a way to massage my pride and just prove to someone how great I am. Maybe that someone was myself. I realized today I would have shown that person exactly the opposite. It would have been petty and juvenile. Though belatedly, I realized that's just not who I am or ever want to be.
Suddenly, I feel as if a burden has been lifted.
T-minus 18 hours to go until show time and I got my wake-up call.
That wake-up call came in ethics class this afternoon - not too much of a stretch, I know. However, though it was wrapped in secular packaging, this class sent me a powerful Christian message: I am responsible for how my actions affect those around me. The concept that really hit this home is called "the veil of ignorance." The idea is that you design a system and a way of organizing roles in society without knowing what role you will have. For example, try to design a social system that includes slavery, but without the knowledge of whether you would be the rich man or the slave. Wouldn't you do things differently if you didn't know how you would be affected?
Not a lightening bolt realization you say? Well, in general, I would agree. However, today, I saw with sharp clarity how that applies to every situation, no matter how wronged I feel by someone.
Granted, my planned action may not have had its intended affect. It wasn't an overt humiliation. That, I would hope you know by now, is not my style. Funny thing is, hurtful actions, whether overt or subtle, are not usually my prerogative at all. I guess I just didn't see it as potentially hurtful. I saw it as a way to massage my pride and just prove to someone how great I am. Maybe that someone was myself. I realized today I would have shown that person exactly the opposite. It would have been petty and juvenile. Though belatedly, I realized that's just not who I am or ever want to be.
Suddenly, I feel as if a burden has been lifted.
posted by BMuffin @ 7:36 p.m.
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