Being Right vs Getting It Right

One mistake, one wrong move, decision, or action in the heat of the moment and you could lose it all. I don’t dwell on this, but occasionally it comes up in movies, other works of fiction, politics, and my life. This could include doing stupid things where you know better but in my own life, I don’t consider those mistakes. Doing what you know is wrong on purpose is not a mistake. I’m talking about doing what you think is right, fighting for what you believe in, or just standing against a system you believe is wrong.

I find the first and main problem in these scenarios is belief, that of others, and that of yourself. Being right might feel good in the moment but it doesn’t save you from terrible outcomes and it doesn’t guarantee that things will go your way.  The rule of karma may or may not be real but its timing is outside your control. Someone can do you wrong and have great success in life. If there is a payment for their transgressions, it can happen years later or perhaps even in another life. If you are waiting to see a person get their comeuppance, you may be waiting a long time and perhaps never see it. In the meantime, you can be clearly right and be made to be the villain resulting in being fired or socially ostracized. Yes, it is unfair but so is this existence. Why do you think people choose to believe in heaven? One of the reasons is that you can finally get what you deserve and never get in this life. Righteous people may not get a positive result from their righteousness in this existence. One should also be careful of self-righteousness. Being morally superior can make for a lonely life.

Sometimes it is a miscalculation. You can use too much force, misjudge the turn, speak too much truth, or say something you believe to be important that other people feel energetically different about. The results can be damaging, permanent, and even fatal. Maybe you went too far by the standards of others or even your own upon reflection. You can lose your job or even your profession. You can lose more money than you have ever earned. You can even go to jail. Did you know you can go to jail for negligence? Ignorance is not an excuse when it comes to the law.

Sometimes there is just an unintended outcome; something unforeseen; something you were not trained to consider. Parenting can be like this. No one plans to have bad kids, or worse, children that don’t outlive them. Things can happen at work, while driving, or in simple social interactions.

This is not to say that you shouldn’t do what you think is right. Just don’t expect things to go your way because of it. The truth is not magical and will not save you from a world of imperfect people and man-made systems. My point is more that no one else has to do, or abide by, what you think is right, even if it is common sense. What is your expectation of others when you make your choices? Even if truth is universal, believing it, wanting it, and wanting to hear it is not. History has shown disastrous outcomes when people force their truth on others but we don’t have to make those same mistakes. Perhaps take the time to consider outcomes that may not be favorable to you before you take a stand. Choose peace in public. Pick your battles as they say. Isn’t that part of planning? If you don’t care about negative outcomes, then don’t be surprised when they show up.