There is a saying that ‘laws are guidelines for wise people and statutes for fools’.
In other words, if you are of good character and love people in general, then the rules are below your standards of operation anyway. You will choose to do ‘the right thing’ by default. For example, if you are honest, the laws about stealing do not apply because you are using a higher law of integrity.
Most of us do not break the law because we believe in a mutually civil society. We behave in a way that assists our society’s functioning by following the golden rule of treating others as you would want them to treat you.
So, in every society, there are fundamentals that should not change and not stealing is considered fundamental.
What about the variables, though?
How do we apply thinking and parameter tools to situations determined by circumstances? Which tool do we use for which situation?
A variable might be telling your kids not to run where elderly people are around to avoid knocking them over or stressing them. However, when there is imminent danger, we would want them to run and run hard! A blanket rule of not running might serve them well in one scenario and put them in danger in another.
As young parents, my wife and I were encouraged to work around this challenge by teaching our children to discern the situation for themselves. We worked through our communications and behaviours to introduce them to evaluate for themselves what is happening in the circumstances around them.
Through this active understanding and life knowledge, we learned that we must teach young people to discern the best course for each action and instil the fundamentals of morality in them. These tools can come from a place of courage, integrity, humility, and honesty.
With this, they also need permission to make mistakes and decisions when they are appropriately aged and experienced.
I do believe that there are spiritual and moral absolutes. However, we cannot remove humanity and variable circumstances from the equation when making decisions.
What are your variables, and how do you decide?
Remember that being different is our biggest asset and we don’t have to be like everyone else. If you need a keynote speaker or presenter on neurodiversity, private message me today to book your next presentation.
As a neurodiverse public speaker and presenter, Dave Brebner specialises in using educational neuroscience to explore pathways for professionals and engage in inclusive discussions for diverse audiences. Living with Tourette’s Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, ADHD, and Anxiety Disorders since an early age, he is married with six children and one grandchild. He recently added a Master of Educational Neuroscience to his qualifications to further deepen his understanding of the neurodiverse mind, including his qualifications in Trades & Training, Adult Education, Vocational and Workplace Training, and a Master of Education degree in Career Development. Dave is a professional member of the Career Development Association of Australia, and you can learn more about Dave’s work at www.davebrebner.com.
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I also give larger presentations at symposiums, conferences, and exhibitions, sharing my story and an Australian perspective on positive ways to beat the stigma of Tourette’s Syndrome.
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