Taking a stand

"IT IS a beggar's pride that he is not a thief." - Japanese proverb

Our principles define us. Our values tell us and others what kind of persons we are. Question is, what kind of values do you have and what are your principles? Actually it is easy to find out the kind of values or principles you have. You just need to test yourself. Challenge yourself to a moral dilemma and see what you choose. Of course you can always justify yourself but you can never really fool yourself. You know. You just know. You can have all the press releases you want but at the end of the day you will just face yourself and there is escaping that. No one escapes himself. In your darkness, the truth will come out.

Your principles tell you what kind of person you are. Some people can be bribed, others cannot. Some people can be bought, while others will befuddle you with their steadfastness. Some people choose the easy path while others willingly take the difficult but right path. People march to different tunes because they hear different music. What music do you march to? What principles do you have? What values will you stand for? Or are you a living example of that line that goes "if you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything." How many of you will sacrifice your values and principles for material things? If you take that Japanese proverb, a beggar will beg even if it is humiliating and degrading but he will never steal, he will never be a thief. He will endure the hardship of begging and the shame that it can bring but he will never compromise himself. He will not take the easy way out of stealing because he is principled in that account. Are you a beggar, can you be one without sacrificing your values, even you own self? Others will not, others cannot simply because of who and what they are.

We all face dilemmas every day. Every day we make choices. Reflect on the manner in which you make those choices because they tell you what kind of person you are. Some people will sell their dignity and principles for money and for popularity. Some people have even gone to the extent of thrusting themselves as good and noble when in fact they are nothing but thieves. There are those who take pains to project that they are righteous and caring when in fact they are nothing but petty and shallow. Yet they try very hard to show themselves off because that is the only thing that is important to them. The accolade and the opinion of what people will say.

To be a thief is easy. Anyone can do that in fact you see them in every level of society. A thief is not just someone who comes in the night and takes away things. A thief is someone who just takes what is not theirs. Let us not be deceived by appearances because thieves do not necessarily wear masks or crouch in the darkness and pounce on you. There are thieves who fleece you in broad daylight using a variety of means ranging from legalities to self proclaimed goodness. But nevertheless it does not change anything. They are thieves just the same.

Someone once told me how do we react to all this hypocrisy and deceit? This person asked me why there are so many people who get away with evil? Ahh, the ageless question of why do evil people get away with what they do? I understand the predicament, I realize the pain. I wonder, I also cry, I also agonize. And yet somehow the question is wrong. How can people get away with evil is the wrong question because truly, in the end all of us will be exposed for what we truly are. In the words of Green Lantern; "No evil shall escape my sight." Yes, indeed no evil shall escape God. You may and can hide it from people with so many justifications and words and explanations but in reality, an evil act is evil and no matter what you do, it will not change. It is still evil. And it will be exposed; we all have to account for it. You and will have to face the things we did and did not do.”

It can be painful to see how some people can get away with crimes and injustice and evil. It is agonizing how money and influence can play a role, but I have faith, and I know that in the end, justice will prevail. Good will triumph, it always will. God sees everything. You cannot fool God. You can fool others and ultimately yourself, but not God.

Do not ever give up your principles because if you do, there is nothing left for you. And you will be worse than a thief. You will be a thief with no soul, only a hollow sounding desperate person seeking salvation.