Good intentions aren’t enough

Food For Thought Tidbit №6

Good intentions aren’t enough. Maybe they never were. Sure, it’s nice to think that if we mean well, we are safe from being accused of doing harm. But in truth, that sort of thinking only makes situations worse.

When we validate our unwillingness to admit we’ve hurt someone or caused harm, we perpetuate the problem.

On the one hand, it’s a worthwhile practice to assume we’re coming from a place of good intention, but it’s unwise to land on that decision exclusively. Call me a negative Nelly, but I think we’ve all been in situations when, in hindsight, we recognize we had ulterior motives.

It’s our obligation as individuals to reflect on our intentions. Hidden beneath our acts of kindness or our efforts to help, there may be more self-centered or controlling intents. In choosing “good intentions,” void of self reflection, we choose ignorance.

The golden rule shouldn’t be to treat others how you would like to be treated. It should be, to approach everyone with kind curiosity. A state of mind that will foster self awareness in ourselves and others so that we may…