Is Life Fair? What’s My Responsibility?
10. Sep, 2009 
2 Comments
If I expect the world to be fair, then I must be fair to the world.
I have to do things that the world wants. Otherwise the world might not give me what I want.
If I expect the world to not judge me, then I must not judge the world.
If I follow rules such as these, then life would be a lot simpler. It would make a lot more sense.
I’m not exactly sure what is meant here by “the world”. I am also leery of the term “expect”. When my “expectations” and reality (that which actually occurred) were out of sync then I had thoughts and feelings of unfairness. Of course, I do treat others fairly (I hope). But to expect another(the world?) to act in any particular way just because I was “fair” is unrealistic.
As a child I experienced violence toward myself from my parents. I still have feelings and an attitude of “it isn’t fair”. At the same time I recognize that for me to say that what happened should not have happened is irrational. And all the “kindness” and “goodness” and “fairness” I had shown my parents did not result in my requirement of them being “fair”.
I’d like to add that I recognize that I am responsible to act fairly toward “the world”. I am not of the attitude of “you treated me unfairly therefore I’m going to ‘get back at you’ by treating you unfairly”. I am all for humanity getting over all that vengeance stuff.
While I’m here I’d like to thank you Jim for what you’re doing. I have been listening to several of your guided meditations daily. They are sensible and practical.