What is innate goodness and how do we value it? Let’s separate out the two words. Innate by definition means that we are born with this trait. The definition of goodness is the quality of being good or moral excellence. Furthermore, the adjective good expresses the quality of approval or value. In reality, we know these qualities by contrasting good or bad or expressing the duality of how we live life. Philosophers give us the reality of our lives in both dimensions. Therefore to know good is to contrast it with bad. If we are born with innate goodness, how does the opposite exist?
If We Are Born With Innate Goodness, How Does The Opposite Exist?
Isn’t this a great question? It is one that challenged me for the longest time until I learned more about the human experience. The human experience is a journey of choices. We are equipped with a cognitive brain and an emotional brain. The two work together to help us choose and evolve into human beings with feelings of worth and purpose. Therefore, it is necessary to have duality of choice. However, duality of choice presents us with choices that trigger feelings and unless we manage those feelings that disappoint, discourage and depress us, our innate goodness becomes compromised. From childhood on, we are choosing what we see and feel from our adult mentors. Our adult mentors pass on the comprised feelings and most children will choose as their mentors do.
Turning Around An Innate Goodness That Has Been Comprised!
Awareness of our innate goodness is a step in the right direction. Since this is a critical piece of information, you then can begin to assess it’s value and how you express it in your everyday life. Please value whatever goodness you feel and express. Additionally, monitor your feelings whenever you experience that goodness. It is still there even though your choices may have compromised it. Share your goodness with your children and family. Experience your children’s goodness and value it, encourage it and have them express it. Hope in a better tomorrow lies in our valuing, owning and sharing our goodness.