Ester's Eunoia

This may pertain to any situation because of it's general rhetoric. But this morning I have been pondering on this question I don't have answers for; I've been seeing things on the news that had me reflecting on my own experience on the link between social responsibility and empathy. The first thing that popped into my mind is how is it possible for others to think the way they do, what does humanity mean to others? Has politeness lost its value? "I can be understanding of that... circumstances can do that to a person". But then I thought about myself when I went through similar circumstances I have a choice: do I injure others the way I've been injured? Consciously no.. why? When my tank of compassion is low what keeps me still, I feel it is my duty. How come? I don't know... I've become hard on the outside and soft on the inside. When we are hard in everything we do, anything that pertains to who we are...what makes us any different to machinery? Is softness that revolting?

I am reminded of when I moved into my student dorm and my roommate was screaming/yelling/fighting with her peers at 4 am 3-4 times a week, after going to the club but had no shame in her right to not care about my sleep and told me good riddance when I moved out. Someone who was cheated on told me that they cheated back because they thought it was fair. An athlete who knew the rules was suspended from the championships for a drug they took. A loved celebrity cheated on an examination when their fans are generously wished them well... why? Is the instant gratification that great or are we blinded on how this is or will injure you and others?

Philosophical Meditations: Why we had to learn the importance of boundaries

When we were children we see the world through a lens that is clear and simple we do not overcomplicate who we make friends with, what we should or should not fear, and what we like or do not like. We go into education with that same simplicity you are expected to get along and have fun with your peers. When we were preparing for physical education we don't care at the age of 11 that we are taking off our clothes in front of everyone regardless of sex as we change into our sports clothes. We would instead compare our shoe sizes, and talk about how tall or short we were.

We spend hours a day with everyone as we grow in education and we still have the mentality of fitting in, getting along and being likeable. However, as we grow things become complicated we become unaware and yet skilful in projecting the attitudes of the adults around us in our lives or the media, we start to complicate our personalities, taking on personas; trying to make sense of ourselves. We don't understand the threat of being swallowed by the complications of another personality that would affect how we see ourselves. We don't understand that we need boundaries. We don't see the value of boundaries in our teenage and adult years, because for those who are yet to be aware of the complicated prospect that is people, in your eyes and others, boundaries are something for those who are an outcast or have been outcasted. On the other hand, boundaries can be seen as a nature of overprotective action. A reaction that is excessive, annoying or unnecessary for those who will benefit from you not having them.

We have to learn boundaries because we don't know from our early years how important it is to have it.

There are creepy people out there who are obsessed with power and obsessed with the ignorance of others. The youth seem 'mature' in their behaviour and thinking and it makes the older generation uncomfortable to see that the youth have wisdom that adults are struggling to grasp. The youth have the ease to access being exposed to the complications of human nature, learning and reflecting on society early on through social media.

However, this as well can be disruptive as it is projected ideals of other adults who they have to trust in the benevolence of.

I think we have to find a way to responsibly teach social and emotional education early on to prepare our youths for further and heavier responsibilities. And to make them aware slowly of the nature of us adults to help them avoid traumas and internalisation of the complicated realities of others who have projected onto them.

Of course, boundaries are to be learned but there is the importance of having the awareness as to why we must do so first. This is of course just my reflection on this.