Re:
I was waiting on FDA to post that line. The minute I heard..."Money is the root of all Evil," my Rand-Alarm went off and I thought..."FDA will post on this, Have you considered what the root of money is?" Sadly, most people don't. It's production and creation, thinking, innovation. And then ask...why do people do it? Why do the produce, create, and innovate?
That drug dealer, though he spreads poison-wares, maybe fending for his family, or kids. Is that evil? He may have a conscious. Enron/AA were supposedly doing good works, but one could argue their impact on the economy and people's lives, despite the legal aspect of their business is WORSE than the drug dealer who maybe fending for his life. In the case of a drug dealer, nobody pushes drugs on the user, and people have as great, if not greater addictions to booze and food. I'm purely providing examples, but money isn't the root of evil, when the root of money is human desire, producton, creation, and innovation. It's what that persons motivation to produce is. Tony Montana had a drive and motivation, but one could say HIS motivation for money was evil.
Anyways...
I've been there with you STR8UP. No business deals, but money involved, and some gf's. I don't lose faith in humanity, because I've had none to begin with. Maybe it's me, or maybe it's lessons I've learned, or things I've read, but I've never wrapped MY expectations around what I think someone else is, or is supposed to be. I let day to day actions dictate who they are. AFC's get so bent out of shape b/c a gf goes from total love and infatuation to dislike in an instant, and the AFC can't fathom why because she's been into him for 2 years, but is out of in 1 day. Now she's been a douche bag for weeks, and he persecutes himself because of the 2 years. Alot of friends will fall on the sword for friends for a long time, until their image of who they are in their mind has finally changed and realigned to who they are now.
And yes, I know we ALL want or deserve passes, but IMO and experience, people being A-holes, is purely a CONSCIOUS choice. Not calling a friend, big deal. People need a break, and they're not obligated to call. That's what makes relationships good and pure, the fact that there's no obligation. Once obligation comes into play, all the magic of a relationship falls away, and it becomes a master-slave situation. Once a man/woman becomes SO possessive over something, the basis for beginning any relationship stops. The joy we receive from a relationship is the fact we are one of a peron's many WANTS, or needs. Once it becomes a YOU HAVE TO situation, all magic and enjoyment is lost.
I've given passes to friends. But guess what, I've never personally NEEDED someone to give me a pass as a friend. I've never cheated on anyone, or with anyone's gf. I've never stolen money from anyone, or borrowed and not paid back. It isn't that I wouldn't and don't have friends...but when i extent myself, if I'm not prepared to lose, then I can't enjoy winning. If I lend a friend money, KNOWING they may not pay it back, I Have to be prepared for no money being returned, and a lost friend.
I've read alot of buddhist teachings, and even recently began going back to Bikram Yoga for my golf game and general well-being. There's a different mindset when you find like minded people and build a solid relationship over years. Of course, if something happens with a 20 year old friend, there's nothing you can do about it...It happens. I know people so cynical they miss out on friendships, period. That's sad. And then I know people so desperate for something to do or companionship, they surround themselves with friends who are really enemies.
What humanity needs is a good dose of reality medicine.
"You can't take this crap with you people! This world isn't real! When you die, it's over! The only thing that remains is the self you came with, and the self you'll leave with! And that will most likely be memories and realization of who you are and what you did! What will you remember most about being here? What will you be most regretful for having done? What will you be most happy for having accomplished?"
The moments I'm personally proud of are the moments I do something when nobody is around, like when I help a random stranger and my family, gf, friends, and no one else is there. Or when I can help someone who never thought they could be helped or find any answers.
I guess it comes down to modifying your own thoughts, beliefs, or expectations of humanity, or finding that which seek you in people.
A-Unit
