Having grown up in an “old-school” Latin American family while regularly attending Catholic School and Sunday mass, I was instilled with “good” moral character. The difference between right and wrong, good vs evil, these topics were heavily addressed by my parents, priests, nuns, teachers, and the countless hours spent watching Power Rangers. To this day, I pride myself as maintaining a high moral standard and doing what I think is right thanks to my early childhood mentors and my personal drive.

However, as I’ve grown older and experienced the pleasures of the world, I’ve noticed a very obvious trend among all people…people don’t simply make “bad” decisions due to their lack of information. People make “bad” decisions after attempting to rationalize the “bad” away from their decision. If there is an internal struggle between their beliefs and the decisions they’ve reached, they more often than not, twist the facts, bend their beliefs in order to allow themselves to carry out their decisions. Of course, “bad” is a relative term which, in this case, I use to describe something which goes against a person’s beliefs/morals.

We’ve all done it, myself included! From little things like speeding on the highway by believing it’ll make you get somewhere faster, and that the risk is worth the gain; to stealing a small trivial object claiming you’re just going to “borrow it” or that “they won’t miss it.” The justifications for these “bad” decisions, as trivial as they may appear, seem to be some sort of psychological way of protecting your sense of being a “good person,” and maintaining your ego.

The danger in allowing yourself to rationalize your way to “bad” decisions, is that these rationalizations could eventually alter your beliefs permanently and slowly change you into someone you didn’t think you were, all the while maintaining a delusional self-perspective of still being the “same ‘ol you.”

In quick retrospect, I know I have come a long way from the Catholic school alter boy to where I am now. My beliefs are still very similar, but they have naturally been altered slightly based on the events of my life, and all the rationalization I’ve done as a result.

So, if its natural for your beliefs/morals to be slightly altered by life, where does one put their foot down and make a stand? How far is too far? Unfortunately dear reader, that is a question only you yourself can answer. The only advise I can offer is, if you are unhappy with your life, don’t try to rationalize that unhappiness away. Do something about it!

A bad relationship, a hated job, a bad situation won’t change by simply rationalizing it to make you feel better, take action and stand up for your beliefs before they are warped beyond recognition! We may always rationalize our actions, but we don’t always act rational.

Technorati Tags: Bad Decisions, Cognitive DIssonance, Rationalization

One thing which I’ve never fully understood about people is their fixation on personal titles, ranks, or statuses. People are so engrossed with their ego and place much emphasis on what others think, that often times they loose sight of what really is important.

Its often said that the journey is more important than the destination, but I don’t entirely agree. Its the journey which gives the destination a meaning, and its the destination that gives the journey a purpose. They both must exist in order for them to hold value, and are thus intertwined.

Sure, I understand the need for some people to have a title or a rank, and it may seem like a great goal to strive for a director or VP title, but those people are letting themselves be defined by their titles. It should be the other way around!

Being defined by the title or rank one holds in life is allowing oneself to be defined based on the preconceived notions of that title. They fail to realize that by letting their title define them, they are simply being complacent to the status quo. If President Elect Barrack Obama allows himself to be defined by President George Bush’s blunders, then will the world really be any different? Holding himself to the standards of President Bush’s decision/policy making would truly be a tragedy, so instead he has created his own identity. “Yes we can!” “Change we can believe in.” These are some of the Obama Campaign’s favorite mantras, and words that have helped Obama define himself as someone not willing to accept complacency.

Senator John McCain repeatedly defined himself as a “maverick,” and did his best to distance himself from President Bush. He too is a man who understands that a job title shouldn’t define a person, but his campaign staff simply wasn’t eloquent enough with words to express that and instead opted for the “maverick” title to define McCain. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “maverick” as,

1. An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it.
2. One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group; a dissenter.

Is McCain comparing himself to an unbranded calf? How long before someone stepped up and claimed it? Would a dissenter be the best option in a time when our government truly needs to work together regardless of party affiliation? That’s besides the point…

Setting personal goals and expectations are a great way to keep yourself motivated on your journey, but don’t forget to learn and enjoy the journey towards your goals. The most important thing to remember is that by relying on titles, statuses, ranks, or even other people to define you and your emotions, you are merely a passenger on an emotional/ego roller coaster and will never be truly independent.

Technorati Tags: Rank, Status, Title

Hang on to your butts, tonight marks the end of a wild and crazy ride for our nominees and the beginning of four years of non-stop complaining by people who probably wont even bother to go vote tonight.

Humans are a social creatrue, and as such are constantly looking for reassurance of their existence.  I’m alive, but does anyone else know I am?  This is the very question that drives people to take action.

A while ago I wrote about a friend asking me if he/she had been influential in my life, and if I would remember that person should he/she suddenly disappear.  That question sent me on a great mental journey from which I realized that a person who makes a difference in my life is one who shall forever be remembered.  From little things to big things, I’ll always remember who it was that encouraged me to try something new.

This brings me to my next topic, needy people.  All people are needy in their own way.  The constant need for attention, the need to feel loved, the need to socialize, these are all very common and understandable needs that I can easily wrap my mind around.

However, the one need I can’t quite understand is the need for the needy.  Constantly helping others attain their needs usually leaves no room for one’s own need, but what if my own needs are the needs of others? I find myself constantly associating with needy people.  People who have psychological, or even physical needs are the fuel of my thoughts.  A person with emotional damage needing someone to talk to, a person who’s self esteem needs a boost, a person who needs some computer help, I mentally crave the needy to address their needs by addressing my need to think on how best to solve their problem!

Looking back, I’ve realized that I have helped many people with their psychological and physical needs, but when they are no longer needy, I no longer needed them. I’m a user, and needy people are my enablers, much like a symbiotic relationship.

This leaves me wondering wether or not my quest for knowledge is a quest I continue for my own personal gain, or to better address the needs of others.  One and the same?  Its like microphone feedback in my head!  So which is it better to be, the needy or a needer of the needy?

Technorati Tags: Needer, Needs, Needy

Is the American dream still feasible in this modern era and sinking economy?
Why are Republicans laughing at a man who embodies the American dream?

Rudy Giuliani: "His (Obama's) rise is remarkable in its own right.
It's the kind of thing that can happen only in America."
(Laughter, applause)

Is it really that unheard of for someone to rise to the top from nothing?  When our own government is counting on maintaining the status quo, it’s time for change.  I really hope no one man’s dream is deferred in this nation.

A Dream Deferred
by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Technorati Tags: American Dream, Langston Hughes, Obama, Rudy Giuliani