The Right And Wrong of It All....

So I was sitting in my classes with my friends, and as usual I was having disagreements and differences of opinion about most of the issues being talked about. The issues that we were arguing about were very individualistic. Everyone had their own opinion, and you couldn't really say who was right, who was wrong. There are many topics, were everyone is entitled to their own views and you can't really say " Hey you're wrong, I'm right " even if you badly want to.

So there I was, trying to keep that- 'I am right ' spirit in me, under control. (which is very difficult you know. Many humans have this tendency to make everyone agree with them. Have never really figured out why. Maybe to get the ecstasy of being right, or just to ensure you're not being left out alone in the crowd. Anyway I am meandering ) After all, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Which brought me to a bigger question- what is right and what is wrong.

You see, we live in this world, where we're brought up as God fearing citizens. We were told to always do good things, never to do bad things. Always help others, don't get into bad habits etcetera. If you abide by these things, you'll get passage into heaven, otherwise you'll burn in hell. Of course, there's also the theory in other religions which believe in the concept of rebirth, that you will pay for your sins in your next birth. Born with a defect or something.

While all this, makes sense, what doesn't make sense is the fact that the deeds are not defined. There's no definition. This is bad, or that is good. Obviously, there are so many things that we humans do, that its impossible to list them down. Which makes the whole theory tricky.

Actions are very relative. You can't judge anyone's actions. Every person is differently built, with a very different reacting system. So everyone has a different reaction, to a nearly-similar situation. A calm person, might be very cool headed, think the thing through and make a decision. While a panicky person, will think hastily, make a mistake and be branded a 'sinner'.

So then there are different kinds of rights and wrongs. You've got ' Morally right' , 'Socially right' , 'Politically right' etcetera. Which makes it even more confusing. What might be morally wrong, will almost always be politically right ( : P ). For example, not taking a stand on some important issue, saying no comments, is morally and socially wrong, but its politically PERFECT.

All that I am saying is that, you can't judge anyone, i.e whether they're doing a right thing or a wrong thing. There are just so many things that contribute to a person making a decision. A person might react differently, just because he hasn't slept properly. Wouldn't it be a little harsh, if you judge them on their decisions ?

Then of course, there are the 'good deeds'. There are many good things that we humans do, without any reason. We just feel like helping some other person, so we do it. But then again, the filthy mind of us humans, always breaches everything, forces us to make exceptions. What about those 'good' things that we do, which are selfish? That we do for our own benefit. Helping others, expecting some favours. Sometimes, we even remind others, " Hey I did that thing for you, you gotta help me man " Many times, we actually help those people, with a bigger, more sinister motive in our mind. Now that's not a good deed either.

So how do you identify, what is right path, and wrong path, when you get to the crossroads. As Al Pacino concluded in Scent Of A Woman, " Whenever you're at the crossroads, take the path that is more difficult. Coz that's the Right One"


P.S- As I was writing this post, I found an even better solution. Listen to your conscience. Its the best gift you have. If you listen to that, you'll surely know what is right and what is wrong. Even the most indecisive person will.

P.P.S- Al Pacino actually didn't say those words, but it meant that, in the latter part of Scent of A Woman.

P.P.P.S- Scent of a Woman - Great watch!! Al Pacino rocks!! What an actor!

To Change Or Not To Change...

For some reason, I am really happy. I don't know why. Suddenly am falling down. Lights! Its a dream. Another one of my afternoon classroom naps. Yeah, that's right, Classroom naps. Something about the uncomfortable wooden benches makes sleeping a very meaningful and divine act. Especially, after you've rattled your head with Organic Chemistry.

 So here I am, just awake from my slumber, when a moment of eureka struck me ( which is ironical ). I suddenly realized ( from an incident that had occurred previously in class), that people do what they do, sit where they sit, talk what they talk, influenced largely by the people around them . All this is in context of the classroom of course, but it also applies a lot to the larger world.

As you grow up, you meet many different kind of people. And as you meet many different kind of people, you begin to challenge your own thoughts, your own convictions and your own views and ideas. For example, when you're in school, you always hang out with the same kind of people. Mind you, the area where you're brought up, or the people around which you're brought up, makes up a lot of your ideas.

 So in school, for instance, you are always with the same kind of people, with the same kind of views (generally). However, as you step out of your shell, and go into the bigger world, you meet up with different kind of people, where each and every view of your is constantly challenged, scrutinized and debated upon. This especially happens when you travel to a different part of the city. I am from the suburb of a city, while the classes I go to has students from the town part of the city too. We always end up contradicting each other on numerous issues. For instance, money, relationships, principles, way of life etcetera. Matters like, way of life and money spending form most of our disagreements. The town people, being from the town side, are generally richer than us suburbans. And hence, the divide on issues related to money.

What happens is, that this human brain is left vulnerable to impressions and relentless hours of soul searching. Now, its very obvious that when you tell something to someone repeatedly for a long period of time, your mind tends to accept what that other person is saying, out of sheer exhaustion of contradicting and trying to prove that you are right. So now if I proclaim in every blog, that I am an awesome writer, after ten posts, you'll believe me even if its not true.

This sometimes leaves one wondering whether the ideals or principles, or views he/she stand by are right or not. Now, there are some kind of people who won't budge on their views, be it right or wrong. They may also dismiss the other person's view point completely. Then there are other kind of people, the other extremes, who will just accept what others say, and make it their view point. And in between these two people, are the smart ones. The rare ones. The ones, who listen to that other person, reason out whether they themselves are right or wrong, and then try to alter themselves accordingly.

Then there's one more problem. When it comes to matter of life, or money, or principles, everyone is right in themselves. I mean, everyone has a way of life, everyone has their own principles, and you can't be haughty enough to brand them as right or wrong.

My main concern would be to know if I'm on the right path. Obviously, your views will lead you to different paths in life. If your views or stand is right, you'll sail through. Otherwise, you'll have to attend a class of the best teacher in the world- Experience ( which is quite painful, but once done with, awesomely beautiful ).

In the end, its really difficult to ascertain whether to change yourself on some issue or not. Of course, there are the easy decisions, where you know you're wrong, and where you can change. But when it comes to principles, philosophies, and other intellectual-blow-your-mind-to-big-pieces stuff, its tough to take a call. So what do you do at that time?

Sleep.

Which is what I did, after thinking about all this.

P.S- On a serious note, I would welcome advice on this.