Doing whatever it takes to get ahead

Maybe I was never brought up that way but I believe in certain cultural and social demographics, this approach is quite acceptable. I, on the other hand have very little respect for individuals that adopt this mantra and live lives as 'time pleasers' aka with yellow stockings ala some Shakespearian play.

It was told to me that the survival instinct of individuals and how they've lived oppressed lives in their home country have made them the way they are. The need to make it and if it takes deception, deceit etc. then they believe that it is a necessary evil.

Recently, an argument came up about the war and how people are not responsible for the atrocities that they've committed while 'under the influence' and in fear of their own lives; absolution vs. basic universal values of bad and good. Is there really a fine balance or is it an easy options to ease the burden of guilt, one may ask?

I am of one mind that man's journey is be 'exceptionally' exceptional. What I mean by that is that one should strive to live by the principles that they hold true; your life's journey notwithstanding the pressure of MAN - what I mean by MAN is that of the human construct. Not one that is predetermined by LANGUAGE but the essence/foundation of being. Language only goes so far to explain our actions at the best of times but some I feel may understand what the implications are - it is not some mindless existentialist gibberish.

What I really mean, in my little humble world, is that need to find that path to self-actualisation. Understanding the limitations of self before others, the strengths and weaknesses of your basic principles which are often tarnished by experiences (Blake was so apt to point this out) but also to finally return to a place of understanding and to accept imperfections as 'truth'. I don't know how to explain this but I guess part of the process is believing that criticism is part and parcel of the learning cycle but also to stand up for what you believe in is just as important and not let everyone walk over what you hold dear when it comes to the crunch. Understand the duality of Truth; opportunities = liabilities and vice-versa.

To my friends, I hope that you understand that life is a journey worth taking and sometimes a moment is all that it takes to comprehend the true nature of Living. Never do whatever it takes to get ahead but always do the right thing by your principles and values because without it, the common man will always remain a common denominator. Never live off someone's else's miseries and one day someone will find you and save you from whatever it is that you fear; that you are not a mere number in the scheme of perpetual motion! There is such a thing as love.