Service

The best way to get over feeling sorry for yourself is to serve others.

http://www.choosetodoright.com/

Judging right and wrong

The easiest way to judge between right and wrong is to assess the potential consequences of our choices and behavior. We should also examine whether our values, standards, and beliefs are causing the consequences we want in our lives.

http://www.choosetodoright.com/

A Clean Conscience

Our conscience is like a mirror in which our soul reflects upon itself and weighs what it sees against the highest standard of reality we perceive. And, much like any mirror, this reflection will become more realistic and clearer when we clean it. When we eliminate the blemishes caused by our past atrocities (along with their excuses and justifications) we enable ourselves to recognize reality and see things more clearly. Not only do we increase our ability to realistically judge between wrong and right, but we also augment our human capacity to be emotionally guided by this judgment.

http://www.choosetodoright.com/

Our Conscience

I believe that as human beings we are innately moral creatures. Most of us have the internal ability to judge between right and wrong, good and bad. And, we have the capacity to be emotionally guided by this judgment. We have a conscience. However, listening to our conscience requires effort and sacrifice. It requires choosing to pay attention.

Reaching Goals

We should always focus on the little steps that are necessary to achieve our goals and struggle to build a successful life like we would a house - one brick at a time.

http://www.choosetodoright.com/

Using today to create our future

Our life is transitory. Eventually, the day will come when it is no longer full of possibilities and potential, but only memories. Thus, we must learn to view the present, the here and now, as the time to make the most of our opportunities, strive towards our potential, and build a meaningful life. Today is the day that we create our memories and shape the legacy we will eventually leave behind. The legacy which, for good or bad, will be our eternal mark on posterity and will determine how we will be remembered, and how we will spend the rest of eternity.

http://www.choosetodoright.com/

True Virtue vs. Transient Sentimentality

Although transient sentimentality and true virtue may have considerable external resemblance, they are easily distinguishable. Transient sentimentality is a selfish hypocrisy and does not endure, except as long as it fulfills its selfish purpose. However, true virtue is a selfless part of who we are. It wants nothing in return and thus it abides firm and constant.

http://www.choosetodoright.com/

Responsible Relationships

In order to be handled responsibly, every relationship, no matter how intimate or casual it may be, requires the ability to see things from another’s point of view.

http://www.choosetodoright.com/

The key to making good decisions

When we judge others, we should pretend that we are the ones who are being judged. Only then will we be able to judge fairly. When we buy we should imagine that we are the seller, and when we sell we should perceive ourselves as the buyer. Then we can buy and sell with integrity. When we are offended, we should imagine that we are the offender and when we hurt someone, we should envision ourselves as the ones being hurt. Only then can we show true mercy and sincere sorrow.


http://www.choosetodoright.com/

Anger

Anger and its core emotions (such as hate, resentment, frustration, irritability, annoyance, etc.) are dangerous because they are powerful enough to momentarily override rational thought and eliminate the deterrents to behaving irresponsibly.  

Live with integrity

Improving our ability to morally judge between wrong and right can only serve to strengthen our conscience as an inner guide to living responsibly when this knowledge is actively used to guide our lives. Again, once we know the truth, we must struggle to live in line with this knowledge or else it becomes worthless. In order to enable ourselves to grow, we must live with integrity.

http://www.choosetodoright.com/

Education and job skills training in prison is only part of the solution

Although educational, vocational, and drug/alcohol abuse programs all play an important role in criminal rehabilitation, they are secondary to the development of personal character. No matter how skillful or brilliant we are, we cannot be successful if we lack integrity, self-control, self-esteem, and empathy for others. It is impossible for us to grow through deceit and insincerity. A fundamentally flawed character can only lead to distorted thoughts and perceptions. Thoughts and perceptions that then lead to irresponsible behavior.

Current educational and vocational programs offered to criminals lack the basics required to help us lead a responsible life. Solely educating a criminal will only result in an educated criminal – not a changed criminal. These programs simply do not provide the knowledge or demand the intensity of focus or conviction necessary for the enormous amount of change required. We may gain skills and knowledge, but if we retain our errors in thinking and perception, we will remain fundamentally flawed.