Frankly Existential

I can prove it just hear me out. A while back, Mary and I were out for brunch. I don’t remember the exact time but it was likely just before noon, so I wasn’t expecting the waiter to come out with a cocktail menu not knowing that was just normal for a brunch service. I’m a fan of an Old Fashioned and, lo and behold, there it is on the menu. I wanted it sure, but I felt it was early for a drink and was conflicted on whether or not I should have it. I was going back and forth with myself while Mary said if I wanted it I should just get it. Simple enough to any normal person, but not to me. Eventually, I came up with a ridiculous justification for getting it. It went like this:

1. Ordering this drink will provide this local business with more money.
2. Providing the business with more money provides its employees with more money.
3. Providing employees with more money allows them to purchase more from other local businesses.
4. More money going to more local businesses boosts the local economy.
5. Better economy for the town benefits the people living in the town.
6. Therefore, my purchasing this drink boosts the local economy and benefits the lives of the townspeople.

While my particular example is obviously exaggerated, it highlights an important lesson that more people need to be aware of. Every action you take has consequences that go beyond yourself. Your negative actions hurt more than just you, while your good actions benefit more than just you. Acting solely for yourself is a damaging idea. To not have regard for those around you is selfish and arrogant. What right do you have to act as if nobody else is in your life? What puts you so far above them to the point where they don’t deserve consideration? The answer is, nothing sets you that far above them and you have no right to behave as if you are.

Be conscientious of where your actions will lead if you follow through with them. Oftentimes the little things you do are not so little. Nothing is simply “no big deal”. What are you doing? Who are you doing it for? Who is close enough to be impacted? Are they worth the risk of being hurt for your benefit?

Don’t drive yourself crazy with those questions. They are important, but of course we don’t always have the chance to go through each one. In those times it seems our only option is to just act, and we can’t fault anybody for simply working with what they have. That doesn’t mean it is excusable to hurt others, but it is forgivable.

I really just want to make clear that your actions have consequences, always, and they always affect more than just yourself. Keep this idea in mind when making decisions, and allow it to guide you in them. Thank you for reading, be well.