It's not what you do, but why you do it

We humans are in a stage of our development, as a collective, in which we are very much concerned about what others think of us.  In light of this fact, it goes without saying that actions are extremely important to us.  The way I behave and act has a major influence on how people will see me.  So, it is essential that I act in a way that reflects the kind of person I am.  Right?


Well, kind of.  I'd say that's just a slice of the pie.

There is a line of reasoning that starts with, "It's not what you say, it's what you do."  I think a lot of pissed off people have said that in arguments. And I agree.  Words are meaningless if they are not reflected in a person's actions or, worse, contradicted by a person's actions.  However, I think it's essential for us to take this to the next level:  It's not what you do, it's why you do it.  Because if you don't have this part straightened out, it's going to be very difficult, if not impossible, to act in a way that is true to your words and ideas (i.e.- to maintain your integrity).

For instance, if I want to start a company or organization to introduce more environmental technology to help society become less polluting, the outcome of this company will be very different depending on my intentions.  If I'm starting it up because I want to make money and it would be great if I help the environment as a side, the results are going to be very different than if I want to help protect the environment and it would be great if I make some money as a side.

With the first intention, which is based on profit, I will be much more prone to make less environmentally sound decisions, no matter how "green" I claim to be.  Say there are two options to invest my money and time in.  Option A and Option B. Option A is better for the environment but will give me less of a profit.  Option B is worse for the environment but will give me more of a profit.  I will always choose Option B because I am mainly driven by profit.

Now let's look at the second intention, which is environmentally-based.  I will always choose Option A because I care more about protecting the environment than making a profit.

That is a super-ultra-simplification, I know.  But it does illustrate the point.  It is even better illustrated when we take a glance at corruption.

If a politician is in her official position because her first priority is to serve her people, the voters, she will make choices that allign with the will of the majority.  However, if a politician is in an official position because she is motivated by power, fame and/or money, she is very prone to corruption.  When she has to make the choice between creating policies that the people want and policies that rich corporations want, she will always work for the rich corporations because she knows that it will increase her power and probably money too.

Intention is everything.

Let's now look at what I mentioned in my earlier post about economic growth.  I said that a great many people expect that the same model of economic growth that created inequality and poverty in "developing nations" can and will lead to equality and prosperity in those same nations. 

What's the intention behind our economic growth?  So far as I can tell, it's to accumulate as much wealth as possible, on both the individual level and the national level.  In a world with limited resources, this accumulation and competition for resources means that while some accumulate, others are losing out, on both individual and national levels.  Furthermore, humans are accumulating resources and the eco-systems of the world are losing out.  So, if our intention is based on greed and/or the fear of scarcity, we will hoard and get increasing inequality.  If our intention is based on cooperation and love, we will share and trust and get increasing equality.  There is no reason for us to accumulate and hoard resources if our intention is based on cooperation and harmony. 

It's not what we do, it's why we do it.

Now, that being said, isn't it worth it to think about why we do the things we do? Why do I act the way I do in my life, as an individual?  Am I acting out of fear or love right now?  Why are we, as a society, acting the way we are?  Is it fear or love?  If we are acting out of fear, we ought to know better than to expect equality and prosperity. Let's call a spade, a spade. 

For more, read my article on self-analysis and my posts about personal development.  I will also write a bit on the topic of love and fear as intentions.