You take the highroad because to do anything less - tarnishes you. To do anything less brings the shadows into your world where the light used to be. ~J.V. Manning Sometimes, I get tired of doing the right thing. Sometimes, I get tired of watching someone play the system, break the rules, and do whatever they feel like without apparent consequence. Sometimes, I find myself thinking - why do I always have to be the one with the morals, the standards, and the ethics? If they can bend the rules, manipulate the rules, and all out break the rules - why can't I? Why is it that some people can walk through life, being less than a good person, yet never seem to get called out on it? Why is it ok for some to lie to get what they want and yet telling the truth – gets me nowhere? Why is it some people can always seem to manipulate a situation to make themselves look angelic and me out to be the bad guy? Why do people actually believe them? Why does it seem like I am always left holding a bag full of someone else’s mistakes – leaving me to make them right? Why does it seem like bad people get all good, while the good people get all the bad? Why does it seem like some people are coated in Teflon, allowing the consequences for their actions and being held accountable - never seem to stick to them. Why do I always have to be the bigger person? Why do I always have to choose the highroad? Why do I have to always do the right thing? They don't and look at them. They lie, cheat, steal, manipulate, and hurt others and nothing ever seems to happen to them because of it. Why am I always being held accountable and to high standards and yet they never are? Why do I always have to do the right thing? Why does it feel like I would get more of what I wanted if I did the same things as the Teflon people? Why must I take the highroad and not speed off into the sunset the same as them. Why do I have to follow the rules when no one else seems to? Why does it seem that what is ok for some - not ok for all? And why do I have to be held accountable all the time by these same people? Why is it ok for them to point fingers at me? Why must they deflect all that they are doing wrong back onto me? Why am I to blame? Don't they know when they are point one finger at me, four fingers are pointing right back at them? Why am I getting into trouble for something I have never done? But yet, those who have done it, get away with it? Why do I work so hard? Why am I an honest person? Why do morals and ethics mean so much to me? Why do I bother? I have had the same conversation ten times over this week with ten different people. Each of them dealing with a Teflon person. These people constantly taking the highroad, doing the right thing, and yet are constantly having to bear the burden of the Teflonites. It is almost as if all the consequences slip right off the ones who deserves them and onto the ones who don't. It's so frustrating to them to always try to do the right thing, the honest and noble thing when all they see as a result is the Teflonites being validated for their actions, getting what they want, never once being held accountable. It isn't fair, they say. It isn't just. It simply isn't right. All of which is true. Still doesn't mean to lower your standards, drop your morals, and fling your ethics right out the window. Just because nothing ever changes, and these people never get held accountable, most definitely does not mean you change as a result. It just means they don't get held accountable and that it is totally out of your control. Out-of-your-control. You do the right thing, because it is the right thing to do. You live an honest life, work hard and reach out to others because that is who you are on the inside. Doesn't matter what anyone else does. Doesn't matter if you don't get recognized for it. What matters is that you know you live above reproach. You know you do the right thing and take the highroad - because you are a good person. It ain't always easy. It can sure make you question humanity from time-to-time too. But, the only person in this world you can control - is yourself. Live your life according to your values. Live life according to what resonates with your heart and soul. Don't worry about what others are doing because then their actions can change how you live your life. You have the control not to let it. You have the control not to respond to it or drop yourself down to their level to deal with it. You take the highroad because to do anything less - tarnishes you. To do anything less brings the shadows into your world where the light used to be. Yes, you will have to deal with the Teflon covered people throughout your life. It happens. There will always be those who break the rules, lie, cheat and manipulate. Yes, it will affect you. Doesn't mean you have to respond in kind. It simply means you handle yourself and your response to their actions in a healthy and acceptable way. You deal with it on your terms. Then, you let-it-go. Why? Because you have no business holding on to the actions of another. You have no business trying to change them or to make them behave in a way you see fit. You cannot live their lives for them. They are not your responsibility. You also do not have to make excuses, cover for, or explain them to anyone else. You do not have to worry about their accountability - they do. Worry about yours. How would you feel if you suddenly started do the exact same things as the Teflonites? What would you think when you looked at yourself in the mirror? Now, how do you feel, knowing you are doing the right things, traveling the highroad, and living YOUR life according to what is right and to a set of standards you believe in? If you can look yourself in the eye at the end of the day. If you can look yourself in the eye after facing and dealing with these people, the Teflonites, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you handled it with class, integrity and dignity. If you can look at yourself in the eye and feel the strength of your character, the beat of an honest heart, and the calmness of a clear conscience. Then, you will appreciate taking the highroad. You will understand that while you may fool some people -you can never fool yourself. You do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. You live an honest life because it is the right thing to do. Never let the way someone else lives their life, makes their decisions or unethical behavior change that in you. Because then they win the ultimate prize. They win the power to make a good person do bad things. They win by bringing you down to their level. You must never let that happen. Take the highroad, always.
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