The Blurred Lines Keeping Us From Better Lives
Let’s face it, living our best lives isn’t easy! We all know life if full of endless opportunities and extreme challenges. Is it possible to clear up the blurred lines that are keeping us from better lives?
I highly recommend Frank Sonnenberg’s new book, ‘Listen to Your Conscience. That’s Why You Have One.’ Sonnenberg, one of America’s “Top Thought Leaders” and influential small-business experts, reveals his best strategies for achieving success, happiness, and inner peace in life.
The following piece is adapted from his book. As you read it, remember: “Follow your conscience. You have to live with yourself the rest of your life!”
It is important to mention that I do not accept, nor did I receive, any benefit for my endorsement. My sole purpose for publishing this piece is to share a valuable resource with you.” –– August Turak
Are You Blurring the Distinction Between Right and Wrong?
By Frank Sonnenberg
What would happen if the line between right and wrong became blurred? Can you imagine a world in which cheating is acceptable, lying is tolerated, and stealing is a way of life? Imagine a world in which rules are ignored, laws are overlooked, and traditions are disregarded.
Can you imagine the stress and anxiety that would result if “every man for himself” became standard behavior? How about if people felt emboldened to speak their mind regardless of whether they offended others by being rude, disrespectful, or hurtful? That would change the way that you viewed relationships, treated business associates, and raised your children. Pretty ugly, right?
You may be thinking that this “Wild Wild West” scenario could never happen. Maybe so. But what would happen if the clear distinction between right and wrong became blurred? The result? Immoral behavior would become so prevalent it would alter our social fabric.
This could actually occur if people lowered their standards and closed their eyes to immorality and if there were no consequences for bad behavior. In that scenario, people could justify their actions by claiming that the end justifies the means and declaring that if “everybody does it,” it must be acceptable. Right? Unfortunately, this mindset would send a strong signal that unacceptable conduct is now considered normal.
Wrongs committed by enough people become the norm.
Do You Know Right from Wrong?
If this scenario scares you, it should. If this nightmare ever came to pass, it wouldn’t occur overnight. It would be the result of small acts flying under the radar — over a period of time.
When people say mean-spirited things in a joking manner, make personal attacks in a heated debate, and when mobs force their personal beliefs on others, the result is the same. We are blurring the distinction between right and wrong. The fact is, actions have consequences; words do, too. When bad behavior isn’t challenged, it becomes acceptable to act in an unacceptable way.
Every time you excuse dishonesty, cover for misconduct, or fail to hold people accountable for their actions, you’re complicit in dragging us down. Every time you’re too uncomfortable to speak up or too busy to get involved, or you give someone a pass — because you benefit — you’re bringing us one step closer to this nightmare scenario. Over time, norms collapse, traditions break down, and people become desensitized to immorality. Bad behavior becomes the new normal. If that occurs, it will be nearly impossible to raise good kids because they’ll be surrounded by toxic people, bombarded by rotten entertainment, and besieged by negative role models. Is that what you want?
Our future is dependent on our kids. And the future of your children is dependent on you.
You have the power to make a difference — if you try. Virtue isn’t demanding more of others; it’s expecting more of yourself. Be a good person. Everything else is secondary. Follow your conscience, be an exemplary role model, lead by example, and hold people accountable for their actions — even if it’s uncomfortable to do so. While it’s tough to change the world, you can change the world around you. There’s a huge difference between right and wrong. It’s our job to point out that reality to those who have forgotten.
Listen to your conscience. That’s why you have one.
This is an excerpt from Listen to Your Conscience. That’s Why You Have One by Frank Sonnenberg © 2020 Frank Sonnenberg. All rights reserved.
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Frank Sonnenberg is an award-winning author and a well-known advocate for moral character, personal values, and personal responsibility. He has written eight books and was recently named one of “America's Top 100 Thought Leaders” and one of “America’s Most Influential Small Business Experts.” Frank has served on several boards and has consulted to some of the largest and most respected companies in the world. Frank’s newest book, Listen to Your Conscience. That’s Why You Have One, released November, 2020.
Additionally, his blog — FrankSonnenbergOnline — has attracted millions of readers on the Internet. It was named among the “Best 21st Century Leadership Blogs”; among the “Top 100 Socially-Shared Leadership Blogs”; and one of the “Best Inspirational Blogs On the Planet.”