There Is No Such Thing as Good or Bad
“There is no such thing as good or bad.” If you know me, you’ve likely heard me say this many times. But don’t misunderstand—I’m not saying that nothing matters. In fact, I believe everything carries meaning. The challenge is that we often limit our understanding of this meaning, creating a disconnect between individuals and the collective.
This disconnect becomes evident when we examine how people view the world.
Two Perspectives: The Individual vs. The Collective
On one side, there is the individual who believes in an objective truth—everything happens according to a divine or natural order. They see their role as aligning their life with the will of God, nature, or a higher power.
On the other side is the person who represents the collective, someone seeking justice in a world that has taken something from them. Their goal is to reclaim what they feel is missing, hoping to become whole again.
These two perspectives coexist, yet they rarely communicate effectively. Bridging this gap is crucial if we are to grow together as a society.
The Importance of Questioning Beliefs
As the child of a Christian minister, I was immersed in religious teachings from a young age. I consider this a blessing because I believe that understanding the foundations of one’s beliefs is essential.
It’s not enough to accept teachings at face value while ignoring contradictions. We are meant to challenge what we learn. As the Bible says in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Without asking questions, we cannot find the answers we seek.
A Simple Yet Complex Question
The second half of my life began with a question that challenged my belief system:
“If I want to get into heaven, I must be a good person. But if I’m only doing good to receive a reward, am I truly good?”
This question stayed with me for years. As someone who values logic, I struggled to reconcile this paradox. Over time, I accepted a fundamental truth: not everything can be explained logically, and multiple truths can coexist.
Learning Through Teaching
When we take on the role of a mentor or teacher, it’s important to understand that we don’t have all the answers. Teaching is an opportunity for growth, not authority.
Consider this: A parent often believes they know more than their child, only to be humbled when the child offers a new perspective that deepens the parent’s understanding.
As we grow older, we lean on our belief systems and can be quick to dismiss new ideas. We judge others who struggle, forgetting that we are all part of the same journey. True growth comes when we open ourselves to new perspectives.
The Awakening of a Prince
There is a story of a prince who lived a life of luxury, believing his world was perfect. His understanding of life was limited to the confines of his palace.
One day, he ventured beyond the palace walls and saw the suffering of the world—poverty, sickness, and death. This experience sparked an awakening in the man who would become Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha.
Stories like this exist in many cultures: a person who believes they have everything figured out until something shifts their perspective. These stories remind us to keep our minds and hearts open to new experiences and truths.
The Power of Perspective
I haven’t been able to write as consistently due to illness, but I felt compelled to share this message today. We live in a world where many hold tightly to their “truth” and wish others would see things their way.
But what if our truth is only part of the story?
It’s difficult to understand the lives of those who experience intolerable conditions. To help them—and ourselves—we must see the world through their eyes.
It’s easy to judge from the sidelines. It takes a master to stand in the trenches with those in need and still offer wisdom and compassion.
Emotion vs. Logic
It is impossible to argue emotion with logic, just as it is impossible to argue logic with emotion. What someone experiences is real to them and will remain so until they choose to see it differently.
To achieve unity, we must accept that we may all be wrong. Yes, some objective truths exist, but connecting with others requires patience and empathy.
A person in pain may not understand the intricate reasons for their suffering—they just want relief. Similarly, a logical person seeks to analyze and grow from their experiences. Neither is greater than the other.
Final Words
If we can learn to be patient with those who see the world differently, we will not only help others but also grow ourselves.
To me, that is what the kingdom of heaven looks like: a place where we acknowledge our differences, seek understanding, and grow together in unity.
Lights & Truth 