Nature by Choice?

While on the track of Nurture vs Nature. The lessons learnt as children and youths, often take many, many, many years, to be absorbed and become a part of who you are. I occasionally do a double take (and flinch a little) when I see a sideways glance of myself, or the odd photo (of which there are not too many) and see my father’s features suddenly thrown back. This is normal. It’s genetics. We can’t all look, as we would like all the time. But our behaviour is a little easier to understand. We make particular choices.

I am writing this now having just spend five hours of my time (not to mention everyone else’s involved) dealing with two seriously drug-addled, rude, abusive and dangerous young adults whose behaviour, by their own choice, put everyone at risk. I find it difficult to understand. I may have done the odd thing wrong, but I don’t believe I ever was so far off the rails of social behaviour as these two were today. Maybe they never listened to the lessons they were supposed to. Not just from their school, or their family, but all lessons in life combined. I asked my son once if I had taught him anything. He said, that he was responsible for his decisions. A great lesson to take in life, but more importantly he said that his actions may affect others, not just himself. Thoughtful. (And we didn’t need a religion to come to this conclusion). We treat each other as people. It is that simple.

I know these days I see all too much of the selfish side of people. The un-thinking side. The type who blame everyone, but themselves. Sure, they may have missed out on some things. But as I mentioned yesterday, did they try to change what they knew was wrong? Not everyone seems to understand the moral issues which can be involved in their decision making. Even a poorly educated person can know right from wrong. It is a very simple thing to ask of your self. Should I do this? Is it right? I have seen what can happen. I have been here before. If I do it, will the same thing happen? Of course it will! Moral choice can be taught. Where I have been going in the last few weeks with this blog, is talking about punishment, and those of you following have read about the ‘fear factor’ in my youth. But, it also reminds me of the respect. It was not the best way to learn and perhaps I am ‘scarred’. But I am respectful where others are involved. Even if they have not earned it, I provide it. The trouble-makers I had to deal with today had to acknowledge this (Unfortunately they tried to point it out to others they had already abused and didn’t respect, and in the most abusive manner). I didn’t respect them, but there was no need for me to fuel their attitudes, wrong as they may have been. Maybe they will think more on that than on what else will happen. One can only hope.

(Continued tomorrow)