A Breaker of Compasses

You may have friends who agree with you and you may have friends who don't. However, the ones who compromise what they believe right, are more of your enemy than those who didn't compromise their values, so thus are your enemy.

If you have friends who compromise their values, whether through: Intimidation, peer pressure, greed, or for any other reason, it can only mean one thing. If they are willing to do that, what are they not willing to compromise? If someone is willing to compromise something, usually they can compromise everything.

On the other hand, you could have someone who has totally immoral core beliefs to yours. Their beliefs may be so opposite to yours. However, they would be better than someone who compromised their beliefs to believe what you believe right.

The thing is, even if its drastically wrong their beliefs to yours, at least they believe in something. At least they have morals. They may be wrong morals, but if you ever convinced them, they would believe totally because they believe it right and not because of fear. If you have people who stand up for what they believe right, sometimes, they can tell you when you're wrong.

However, if you managed to make your friend compromise their values, by the same right that you made them compromise their values, so will they do with your values when faced with the same pressures that you put on them.

Compromise, is an ugly thing. People do it, not because it is right, but because it is easier. Compromise might seem a good choice. But when someone compromises their beliefs, they are saying yes even though they believe it to be absolutely wrong. It is almost like putting their moral compass through a shredder. Once that is done, how can you trust someone with no right or wrong?

It’s like how you could never trust a traitor even though they betrayed someone for you. Because if they betrayed someone who they knew, if not loved, what are they willing to do to you who they don't know?

If you are a true friend, don't make your friends compromise their values. You might not agree with them, you can convince them to change or argue, but never ask them to compromise. Asking someone to compromise their values is something you ask of an enemy and not a friend, because you have no vested interest in them.

A Blast From the Past

In the past lies great stories. Great stories of men and women who either succeeded or failed. Despite, this mine gold of information, some would be arrogant enough to not learn from it. Proving once and for all Darwin's theory of evolution. The evolution of humanity's stupidity.

The past is often like an a last year exam for when doing this years exam. Yes, its not always fully the same, which can be dangerous expecting it to be the same, but its quite the cheat sheet to help you combat tomorrow's problems.

It may seem unlikely. However, life works in cycles, as the economy which also does works in cycle. The past, sometimes to most peoples' surprise is very much relevant to us as it was yesterday. What often happens in this life, is the same problems that our grandfather or grandmother faced.

The course of human history if looked closely, is an ever moving circle. Going round and round. Through all eternity.

Although it may not be the exact situation, it will be like the same chess pieces. Like a game of chess, every game is different, but it’s the same problems and what they represent. So the same old game.

As we move through this circle, the pieces may dress in different names or colors, but its all still the same issues. Will someone comprise their values, what will someone’s choices be, will they yield to fear, or will they conquer?

Yes, humans may have changed in technologies, and culture, but we are still the very same humans, which lies the factor of this repetition. Just as those before us and those after us. This is why stories from the past of great battles, and costly decisions, it's all so very familiar. It is something we can all relate to, because we are still humans, then and now.

As that quote goes, those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it. Looking back doesn’t always solve our problems, but sometimes they have the answers. Although, the past in is quite different, we only need to look at what point are we in the cycle to find how to solve tomorrow, because then we will know what happens next.

Too Busy Looking Back

In the attempt to free themselves, some people only seem to get themselves more and more entangled. It’s like a bird in a puddle of tar. The more it struggles, it only gets more tangled. Likewise, so many humans are so. In their attempt to be free, they have only made things worse.

It's a comedy and tragedy rolled into one, seeing people trying to set themselves free or distant themselves from what they dislike. They’re so desperate to get away from what they were once or whatever they were locked away in, that they run straight into the next trap.

So focused are they at looking from what they are running from, that they don't realize they are not running away, but to. Simple fact is, what you focus on, you move towards. People are so locked into what they don’t want to be, that they keep it insight and block everything out. Sadly, they find, the only thing they know and see is that very thing they didn't want to be.

There are people who are like,”I’ll never be like you.” So consumed on not being them and watching, that they don’t realize that they are looking at a mirror. It is how some people are so desperate to get away from religion that they they do so all very religiously. Never realizing sometimes the very thing that they despise they look like. Maybe not in name, but in manner.

Often, what you judge, you become. This is why so many others have become what they have despised. For they were to busy looking at the person's failings instead of what led them to that. So they walk the same path and become that very person.

When you run, or go anywhere, you look to where you want to go and not where you don't want to go. So don't focus on what you're not trying to be, but what you want to be. If you see something you don't want to be, trace what led that thing or person to be, not the person, less you follow their path. Look where they fell, and not what they've become.

To Zoo Or Not To Zoo

Although this might not be the question of the century or questions like,”Why are we here.” The question if zoos are bad or good is quite the question. Whether you have made up your mind already, don’t know, or don’t care, it should be a question that is thought carefully.

There is a quote that talks about how the way we treat our animals speaks volumes about our nation. While a good quote, most people are still going to enjoy a good steak.

Nevertheless, when certain people talk about zoos they exclude everything realistic accept whats best for the animals. While sounding beautiful and wonderful, reality has a way of stepping on dreams. Yes, maybe the best for an animal is wide free worlds with no humans. However, what would be good also would be truck filled with cash.

Basically, animal welfare and reality has to be kept in the argument when talking about zoos. If any conversation is to happen aspects such as: social, resources, and of course, the animals' welfare should be all talked about.

The truth with these talks about zoos, is that animal cruelty does take place in some zoos. However, on the other hand, in zoos, lives are saved. Take for instance, the panda it would have gone extinct without zoos.

Which makes one think, with animals that are endangered one should ask themselves, “Is it easier to stop animal cruelty in zoos or is it easier to stop poachers from killing animals or other reasons.

There have been many instances of animal cruelty in the zoos. However, it's something that can be fixed. Many people argue that animals are happier in the wild. However, the problem is that in the wild, no one sees the animals. So thus no one cares about the animals. In the zoo, endangered animals are safer, maybe not happy, but certainly not eating lead from a man or woman who’s trying to pay for their college fees for their kids.

Animals, just like people in this world have a place, but the truth is that they have to be useful, things that don’t seem useful or aren’t useful usually get the boot. Just look how people use to remove their tonsils.

Zoos maybe be cruel, but not all are. There are many genuine zoos out there in certain places in the world. Filled with animal keepers who have only the best interest at heart for the animals.

With zoos, people argue that they’re not very educational for children, whether or not that has merit does not matter. However, what has merit, is that children can learn and appreciate animals. As mentioned before, if animals are out of sight or serve no purpose, there is not reason for people to care about them. Fact is, if you do not see something or get something out of it, you see no purpose for it.

Zoos can be improved. However, animals needed to be thought more instead of dollar signs. Nevertheless, it is better to have a zoo with the resources that are allocated to saving animals. And in the more cynical thought, maybe the next generation will feel more sorry for these animals and set them free. Or maybe the next generation will be inspired by what they see in animals, and strive to make a place that helps animals and inspires the next generation.

The Future Will Be Bright

In the past, people would look to the future with hope, with expectations of better days to come. Now, that those days have come to those who have hoped, it seems that we, who have arrived at that moment, only see nothing. And if we do see anything, it’s visions of darkness.

Mainly before the 2000s, people would envision the future with flying cars, cures for cancers, and great technological advancements. Although that hasn’t all come to fruition, you cannot blame them for seeing a bright future. The future is always something to look for. You can’t change the past, but you can change the future. This is something people seem to get in the past.

In the future are all our hopes, dreams, and fears. The future should be something we look forward to, a place where we can atone for past sins, and make great happen.

Sadly, people seem to have gotten into a rut, of seeing a world of darkness ahead: Zombies, global warming, over population, and aliens sometimes. Those things, to a certain extent are true. However, they are only as realistic as the first and last items mentioned in that list.

Nevertheless, the future is not dark, people are making better choices. In Norway they are planning to have all electric cars by 2025. In Israel, they are using Algae to make power, and in all the world we are starting to use solar power.

Furthermore, only just last year, humanity made great steps in the world of technology. Just naming a few boons to humanity: the water purifier that purifies sewer so it’s drinkable, a syringe like device that can seal up wounds instantly, lamps powered by plant, and material that absorbs oil spillages. These are only just a few innovations, and that is only in one year.

 

Every day people are learning, every day people are finding better ways, and every day the world is making a better world. The ideal of the future being dark is almost a fairytale. There are brighter days ahead. The predictions of the past that the world is going to end may have been true then, but with each and every day, something is created, whether it be new ways of living or things to make our world better.

Truth be told, what may have been fact that the world was going to end by humans hands is no longer true. Instead, a better future is being built by those same hands that was once destroying in the past.

The Treasure Among Us

There is a world of treasure all around us. Rarely do we see it, because we do not look for it. The reason we never seem to notice it, would be perspective. Or for the simple reason, that familiarity breeds contempt.

Have you ever seen a child draw, it looks really simple. In fact, when you walk into an art museum you will probably see the same drawing that a child draws, but instead it has a fancy French name. Similarly, you might have a nice pair of jeans, but you get a hole in it. So you might go to buy a new pair. However, it might also have a hole in it. The difference, one is done with flair and the other not.

So many times, there are things that others or you will do, that you take for granted because it’s does not have foreign name. Instead, you see it as nothing seemingly special.

However, what others do, and we do, is sometimes treasure. It’s not worthless. The only reason it would be worthless, is that we lack perspective. This is why, people are always finding new talent, because they are looking for that talent. It was always there, but no one realized it.

If we can add perspective to the things that are around us, you might just realize how much you really have around. When you are not able to see what their worth is because they were familiar, because they were normal, and because you never saw it with fresh eyes.

Humans get use to things very quickly. If you live your whole life with acrobats, acrobatics aren’t probably going to surprise you. On the other hand, if you are someone who has never seen it, you are going to be amazed and awed.

Other times, it takes a while for it to click, to really realize just how amazing someone or something is. If we could have new eyes we would be able to see really all the wonders that constantly surround us.

Sometimes the only difference between what famous people and “normal" people do is really the fame or the recognition. Words “normal” people say are great quotes. The only problem is that a so called “great” person hasn’t said it. Greatness is every where we look, but rarely do you find something if you don’t look for it.

By Who Do You Stand With

You might think you know who you support. Whether it be that charity foundation, the local farmers, or some organization. What it be, most people are unaware that they support more than they realize.

When you support someone, it can be very simple. It can look like going to a website, watching a television show, standing up or sitting down, opening your mouth or shutting it. It can be a big action, but most of the time, it will just be a very slight action. Whatever it be, no matter seemingly insignificant, it’s support.

There are so many ways to support something or someone, that most of the time, people are blissfully unaware of the results of their actions.

There are two ways to support something. The first would be thinking you know what you support, and the other would be not realizing what you support. Nevertheless, supposedly aware or blissfully unaware, something is gaining from that support.

 For instance, animal lovers might not realize that when they buy animal products that are Halal or even just Halal, there is a good chance they are supporting animal cruelty. Despite government regulations or lack of, there is always a good chance that animals are being killed cruelly.

Another example is, you might support a charity, but where does that money go? Does it really go to children or do most of the profits go to some CEO? A good illustration is the the recent Palestinian funding scandal. A few months ago, it was revealed, money that was supposed to go to people in need in Gaza, was instead funding the brutal, violent terrorist organization Hamas.

As mentioned before, sometimes we don't realize that we are even supporting something. You may be watching a television show and you may not agree with everything in it. However,  by watching it, you are really saying you think it’s fine the content. By you watching and being counted as a viewer, you are saying,”Yes, I believe this is right and okay.” You could go to a site, and by going there you may just have funded it, because every click is money.

We need to examine who we are really supporting. We may not know who we are really supporting, and you may get a shock.

People always complain that they are insignificant, or that it’s impossible to change the world. In a way, that is sadly not true. If we could really go through life and not change anything, sometimes that would be better. Nevertheless, every day we are supporting someone or changing something. However, we don't seem to realize, the little actions we do are being watched by others and counted. 

It’s really a choice, what do we stand for, and by supporting something that we do not believe right, how does this reflect on our mark on the world? By supporting them, they are changing the world, maybe not even how we like it. You must choose who you support, your actions are not futile, be aware who you are supporting. As the old saying goes, silent means consent, by sometimes saying nothing or doing nothing we are supporting someone.