"The world is evil. It takes effort to be good."
In this fiery age of rising selfishness and incivility, his mantra makes some sense. I'm no longer so blind to the reality of evil, but choose to focus on the unique privilege we humans wield: the gift of Free Will.
We powerfully create our world with every choice - be that to take courage and do the next right, helpful thing or the next wrong, selfish thing. So what our world looks like is really on us.
Choosing good can take effort, sure. Yet psychology tells us that we're hardwired for altruism as much as for selfishness.
It's like a muscle; the more you flex your goodness, the easier it becomes. And the more you’re around folks that flex their goodness, the easier flexing yours becomes, too.
Choose Good - because it's good for you.
People who tend to choose good, “otherish” behavior have greater wellbeing and happiness, more stable relationships and more life satisfaction than selfish folks who are prone to anxiety, depression, and icky feelings like envy and despair.
It can take courage to leave behind those who choose evil, strengthen your goodness muscle and surround yourself with others who do, too.
