The Evil Within

No person is a saint. We all have the capacity within us to perform great deeds. Knowing this I cannot help but wonder why so many are killed on a daily basis. Statistically speaking there are births and deaths each day. What concerns me are the deaths that seem so senseless. The media loves to make a point of telling us the details of every horror story in every part of the world. I just want to understand why. Why must so many individuals give in to their darker side?

People kill for a variety of reasons: War, revenge, self-defense. What they all have in common is anger. Anger is used either to steel yourself before you pull the trigger or used as the excuse to do so. It seemed like at one time people would offer a reason for taking a life. Now it appears to happen indiscriminately.

I think that the cause is obvious. Newer generations are not taught to value life; their own or others'. If we held that life is a precious gift we would think twice, or even three times, before ending it. This goes for murder and suicide equally. People might be less apt to just blow up as their first reaction to strife. What happened to diplomacy and negotiation?

There is evil inside of all of us. What separates the wheat from the chaff is the extent that we fight against our own nature. Do we gawk at an accident or look away? Do we get pleasure from the misery of others or attempt to ameliorate their wounds? We can either take responsibility for our actions or blame others and continue our negative behaviors.

It behooves us to strive to become more than we are. Human nature notwithstanding we must overcome our inner demons and enable the goodness that is in our hearts. To be greater than the sum of our parts is a laudable goal. When in a situation that angers you go beyond your gut reaction. Think rationally. Do not give in to that voice inside you that works to drag you down. Rise up and be the angel that may save someone's life. That life may be your own.