Boi Growing Up

“Everybody has the right to slap the shit out of anybody they want, but they also have the right to get slapped the shit out of back and they also have the right to go to jail.” A pretty accurate quote when you think about it. Technically you can go outside, walk right up to someone, slap them, then walk away. Well I don’t think you’d be able to simply walk away, but I think you get the idea. Being of sound mind, you really can do whatever you want. Anything you have the ability to. The only limiting factor is yourself. Yes, that even means doing harm to another person is well within your scope of abilities.

Umm..please don’t stop reading after that paragraph and assume I’m saying everyone should go out and assault people. I’m a Buddhist remember? We do no harm? It’s like the first precept.

Anywhoo, I was doing one of my favorite combo activities, listening to a podcast while playing a game on my phone, when these quotes were said which will make up the main idea of this post because I think they are very true and a simple way to think of social interaction. The first quote put in the intro paragraph, here’s the second.

“..as a person functioning in this world, you have the right to do whatever you want to do, but you also have the right to receive the repercussions for what you do.” This is exactly how I feel about doing good and bad deeds…well when I was younger. Laws are not your rights. The Bill Of Rights aren’t even your rights and it’s called the Bill of Rights. Your rights are literally whatever you feel like they are. Now the problem with that is people could be adversely affected because of some action you decided to do on any given day. To minimize that, a majority of humans came together, exercising their right, to create a way to counteract negative interactions. Hence, police.

I say “majority” cause I must account for all groups, even the anarchists.

But if you don’t want to listen to the ruling authority figures. If you don’t want to respect other people’s boundaries. If you really want to connect your hand to another human being’s cheek muscle, then go ahead. You are well within your rights as a person.

Although, if a fist comes flying at you, that’s also your right too.

I believe in nature’s check and balance system. It works. Sure, infinite choices at your disposal, but you take the consequences that come with them also. For example, when I was a kid I did some bad stuff, but nothing serious. I knew I could, but I knew I didn’t want the backlash if there was any. I knew there is always a repercussion. Don’t wear a condom during sex, hello syphilis. You steal, go to jail. Commit adultery, lose your wife and half your assets (divorce terms are something I passionately don’t believe in. Like alimony? Really?). If you feel you deserve to do whatever you want, do you also feel that way about the aftermath?

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

There is a difference between being able to do something and it being a “right” thing to do. This is where morals come into consideration and typically where they skew the views on rights. Gay marriage for instance? Being “moral” or not, doesn’t dictate whether something is a right. Morals vary from person to person so what might be ok for me, may not be ok for you. You canslap anyone. Is it rightto slap anyone? Personally I think something is morally wrong when it becomes detrimental to another person’s life. It’s ok to refuse a birthday party invite. It’s not ok to go to the party and fight the host. It’s ok to speed a bit on the road. It’s not ok to hit someone else’s car and keep driving.

Just some food for thought. Short one tonight. This first week of work is killing me, but I wanted to jot this thought down. It’s my right anyway haha.

Til next time. Stay frosty.