From time to time it is not unusual for us to spit-out critical comments, criticisms and condemnations in view of behavioral patterns and/or policies within our own society/country. I note that these feelings may be expressed with an even higher zeal and a more elevated frequency when we describe what we deem unacceptable behavioral patterns and/or policies related to other societies/countries.
What makes us do that?
The motives differ widely and are not always obvious because they depend on many factors, namely:
1- socio-cultural: (personality, attitude, lifestyle, education, health, religion, wealth, media etc.),
2- political (government, regulations, economy, treaties, constitution, etc.)
3- geographic (resources, terrain, climate, etc.)
It is noteworthy that the above stated three factors with all their sub-factors (and unnamed etceteras) are intertwined in many ways making it virtually impossible for us to reach a definitive conclusion as to what glasses we use to see and perceive the defects within any given society or country.
The more I think about the above, the more I believe that it is a bottomless-pit, because the more thought I invest in trying to understand the motives for these thought declarations, the less conclusions I’m likely to reach!
So, what should we do:
Depending on our individual core values/feelings and common sense inclinations, it would be better to direct our thoughts towards toning down the egotistic feelings and elevating our own values to better serve ourselves, our families and our societies.
Remember that, regardless of which age/social/ethnic/creed/etc. group that we belong to, our leanings, biases, convictions and other feelings may possibly have changed over time. So much so, it is somewhat hypocritical to pass judgment on behavioral patterns that we may have once adopted!
Start with positive, constructive self-criticism, work on self-improvement and back-out of general criticism.
After all, as the saying goes: Charity begins at home!
Hani Badawi
January 6, 2019
What makes us do that?
The motives differ widely and are not always obvious because they depend on many factors, namely:
1- socio-cultural: (personality, attitude, lifestyle, education, health, religion, wealth, media etc.),
2- political (government, regulations, economy, treaties, constitution, etc.)
3- geographic (resources, terrain, climate, etc.)
It is noteworthy that the above stated three factors with all their sub-factors (and unnamed etceteras) are intertwined in many ways making it virtually impossible for us to reach a definitive conclusion as to what glasses we use to see and perceive the defects within any given society or country.
The more I think about the above, the more I believe that it is a bottomless-pit, because the more thought I invest in trying to understand the motives for these thought declarations, the less conclusions I’m likely to reach!
So, what should we do:
Depending on our individual core values/feelings and common sense inclinations, it would be better to direct our thoughts towards toning down the egotistic feelings and elevating our own values to better serve ourselves, our families and our societies.
Remember that, regardless of which age/social/ethnic/creed/etc. group that we belong to, our leanings, biases, convictions and other feelings may possibly have changed over time. So much so, it is somewhat hypocritical to pass judgment on behavioral patterns that we may have once adopted!
Start with positive, constructive self-criticism, work on self-improvement and back-out of general criticism.
After all, as the saying goes: Charity begins at home!
Hani Badawi
January 6, 2019
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