Following Your Moral Compass
A few years ago, I was leading a discussion on ethics for the employees of a land acquisition company. At the coffee break, one of the participants came up to me, introduced himself, and said, “I am an atheist.” “Fine,” I replied, “be the most ethical atheist you can be.” I think he was trying to “get off the hook thinking only religious folks have to be ethical. Not so, morality and ethics apply to everyone.
In the matter of ethical-moral behavior, there are three dynamics to especially keep in mind: first, the importance of self-knowledge – what your inner values and principles are and what tempts you away from living them; second, having a moral compass, that is a guide based on your values and principles that helps you to make the right moral decisions; and third, the humility to learn from your moral mistakes and the courage to change your behavior.
As a help to live these three dynamics, consider the following
allegory. It is called “Autobiography in 5 Chapters,” and is by Portia Nelson.
Chapter One:
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost…..I am hopeless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter Two:
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter Three:
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in….it is a habit….but my
eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter Four:
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter Five:
I walk down another street.
Peter Bisson
Posted at 01:52h, 13 SeptemberThank you Max!
graeme quinlan
Posted at 02:05h, 13 SeptemberI loved this it speaks so deeply of the journey of life .The Highs ,The Lows .The Challenges of life and the ultimate win.At last Victory over adversity.
Margaret Powell
Posted at 15:44h, 13 SeptemberAlways learn from your sharing! Still hope to visit before too much longer.