Good day to you, dear reader. I trust that you’ve had a great week so far. I appreciate the feedbacks and comments I got from you on previous posts, especially the one I wrote last week. Thanks for your commitment to this course, you are greatly loved.
Today, we’ll be addressing a very important issue that is related to our value systems, convictions, and beliefs. The post is titled “The right side”, and this title can give rise to different interpretations in our minds, depending on how you view it. But, I believe that we will be on the same page by the time you are done reading this. It’s about to get interesting, get on board!
We often talk about “doing the right thing”, like, it’s a common saying. Even when we don’t get to express it in words, we have it at the back of our minds and we get to push that thought into reality when we act. However, as much common knowledge as this is, we fall short of indeed “doing the right thing” when there is a call for action.
This is what I’m driving at; there is a difference between knowing what is right and doing it. Also, there are levels to this. Your action is fueled most times by your prior knowledge. A lot of times, we stop at the level of ‘knowing’, and we fail to transform that knowledge of ours into action. In essence, we know what needs to be done, we know better but fail to do it. In case you are asking what the reason is, I’ll sum up every reason I can think of into a word- FEAR.
We live in a generation in which our moral values have been injured, and vices are placed in high regard as opposed to virtues which should originally take that position. To put that in a simpler way, ‘wrong’ is the new right, and ‘abnormal’ is the new normal. What a twist!
As you read this, you can think of different scenarios where we often normalize the ‘wrong’. Talk of sexual purity, daily dealings in organizations, the legal system and justice, bribery and corruption, it is virtually everywhere! It is surprising and sad that the supposedly ‘right’ you get to apologize for being ‘wrong’ (when you are actually right). Imagine the contrast!
I’ll cite this example. I’ve been following a high school series for a while now, and the last episode featured three students plotting to steal an item to make their friend get a favour. Initially, the three of them agreed to the plan, but at the last minute, one of the girls backed out. The other two went ahead with the theft, and they did it successfully.
The following day, the ‘odd’ girl went to say hello to her friends, only for them to cut her off and tag her as a stranger. This went on for a few more days. Eventually, she felt bad and had to apologize for backing out of the plan. At the point of the apology, one of the friends made a statement, saying “you know you messed up, right?” E shock you too, abi? As in, it’s the audacity for me, on top bad thing.
The setting might be a secondary school, but that is sometimes what plays out even among mature minds in different positions. People are labeled the black sheep because they refuse to get involved in a vice, and there is this ‘stigma’ that comes with standing your ground. The standing truth is that ‘wrong’ can never become right no matter how much it tries. The wrong act will always be wrong, no other way to it.
As much as we love to stay on the right side in all that we do, we are sometimes discouraged by fear of being labeled or cut off from certain favours. But, as I mentioned earlier, no excuse will justify wrongdoing. So, how do you stick to what is right without a feeling of guilt?
First, be convinced about WHY it is right. It is not just enough to know that something is the right thing to do, there must also be a backing for your knowledge and your decision. A wise woman once said, and I quote “if you don’t have a strong why, you will fall for other people’s strong why”. If you check that out again, you will see that the statement holds.
You have always held on to the belief that something is right, but have you found personal reasons to fuel that conviction? Or, is your resolve still tied to facts you hear from other people which you haven’t taken time by yourself to put to the test or validate? Think about it!
If you don’t have a reason for holding on to your truth, other people will sell you their reason why you should not hold that truth of yours to heart. Lack of personal conviction on your part and good persuasion skill from the other party will get you throwing away your belief like it meant nothing in the first place. I have a request to make, may I? Sit, reflect, and identify the reason you hold that truth of yours so dearly.
Here’s the next; surround yourself with people of like mind. You see, even the strong have a moment of weakness! There will be a time when your firmly-held right belief will be put to one serious test, and you get confused. You are certain that you are on the right side, but you still find yourself second-guessing it. Who do you turn to in such moments?
In those weak moments, you need people who have the same mindset as you do to encourage you and re-ignite your zeal. Sometimes, we are not always strong for ourselves, and in such moments, it takes having your humans speak to you in the language that you understand for you to get back on track.
You must also look at the prize, and not the price. The truth is that no one may commend you or even give you a grand recognition. I however believe that the peace or that gentle pat that your mind gives you is a huge reward. Imagine your conscience constantly calling you out or having sleepless nights because you did or said something wrong, and you are scared it might backfire!
Prices are sometimes difficult to pay, and it could involve being shoved aside or stigmatized. But it sure pays off at some point, and the reward is always worth your trouble. Also, there is going to come a time when the people you are up against will have to recommend someone who has got that value you have to someone they care about, and you will pop up on their minds.
No matter how much they search, you probably are the only one that fits the criteria they are looking for. They cannot afford to have their beloved get hurt or deceived by someone that has their character. So, they will rather seek your service, knowing that their loved one is in the right hands. I think that’s a huge reward, don’t you think so?
The last thing I’ll emphasize is that you walk in God’s steps, and not man’s. This will push you to do the right thing REGARDLESS of who is doing the wrong thing. This does not mean that you should not have a mentor or a role model, not at all! We definitely need people who have gone ahead of us to guide us right in defined areas of our lives. However, you must walk in the perfect steps of the One you are living your life for. His ways are perfect with no shortcomings, unlike our ways.
This is the reason your ‘strong why’ must come from a place of personal conviction and not another person’s belief. Many people’s stand gets shattered once they see someone that they so much look up to fall short, forgetting that we are all humans. Trust God to direct your paths always, and you will be the better for it.
This is my stop for today, and here’s my pen in the air! I hope you had a great time reading this. Let me know what your thoughts are by dropping a comment. I’ll write to you some other time. Till then, stay positive!
