The best it's ever been

[wushi]

Yesterday I was thinking about the idea that people do the best they can. It's a general observation that encourages us to not get mad or fed up with others, even when they seem petty, small minded, or uninterested. On some level people make the best decisions they are capable of. Not that they don't see a "better" alternative, but on some level

Comments

[labgoddess]

I agree with your point for the most part, but it makes the underlying assumption that all people are good or strive to be good. That assumption is true I believe for most people, but not all. In my experiences there have been times when I have been given a set of choices, and I make the best one I can, but in hindsight all choices would have probably given the same result. It makes me wonder what the point of trying to make good choices are when sometimes the outcome won't change and there aren't good answers. It makes me want to stop caring.

[wushi]

Two distinct points there

[labgoddess]

I miss talking to you. You always seem to have intersting things to say.
I do agree with your points. It just makes me sad when you do what you think is best and in the end, it changed nothing. The choice keeps with your own selfish need to do what you think is right at the time, but doesn't achieve the desired result. It it worth the time and energy if it's just to make you feel better and no actual change is achieved?

[wushi]

Yes, it does matter.
I think the problem is a focus on external events. The choice you make does not appreciably change the result externally, but the act of choosing does change you. If you decide instead to accept this thing, though you disagree with it, you make a different choice, and are made into a different person. So, while you desire a specific external result which is not brought about by your actions, you do obtain an internal result which should be seen as no less important. Indeed, some might argue that it is of far greater consequence than the external result that was sought.