Take the Good with the Bad

I have an idea, and there are a few people who share this idea, that the true meaning of anything can only be determined when there is a relevant reference point with which to contrast the truth which is being portrayed. The darkness is only as dark as the light which has been revealed.

If a man has lived in a 'bubble' his whole life, with all of his needs and wants fully met, even the smallest event, perhaps his favorite plant dying, would be a life changing event. In the same way, a child who has grown up in abject poverty, without parents or siblings may appreciate a smile more than many would ever imagine.

Of course there are external factors that come into play, such as the man seeing photos of people suffering from famine, or the child meeting a wealthy family in his area, but these experiences are only as effective as his understanding of what he is seeing.

So, as a person who is trying to convey a truth, it is imperative that not only the truth be portrayed accurately, but the context in which the truth resides must be subject to the same scrutiny.

Now, the big problem comes in when we are trying to understand people rather than truths about life, the universe and everything; simply because we can't understand the context of a person's perception without knowing their history, which is also subject to their interpretation.

Their interpretation of their history does however give us a glimpse into a person's reasoning behind decision making. This indicates their state of mind as well as the principles by which they are likely to govern their lives.

So, does one ever know a person? If the facts about their lives are tainted by not only their perception but our perception too, do we ever have clear, unmanipulated facts? Well, many would argue that we don't. I would argue that it doesn't matter.

I believe that principles are what make a person who they are, not their experiences. The defining point in any one's life is how they react to the difficult situations they find themselves in rather than the situation itself.

The way you control what you can is what makes you who you are. Integrity.