The compass is a very old instrument to aid in navigation using the reference points of North, South, East and West. A more sophisticated instrument of the 21st century, the GPS indicator, can assist drivers or hikers in reaching a destination. Both types of geographical indicators are external. On the other hand, each of us carries our own internal compass, a device that is unseen and inaudible but accompanies us throughout life. For lack of better words, I will refer to this as a moral compass or personal compass.

Life is a “long and winding road” – photo by James Cummings, taken in Shelburne, VT.

This internal indicator, like the voice of the GPS device, can be ignored. If only we pay attention to it, our moral compass can help guide us to right and wrong behavior and whatever is in our best interest. When we make a mistake, this personal compass tries to redirect us to make a different choice in the future. Many times, just like the GPS instrument, we will have to reconfigure our path.

Every human has the ability to know when their actions are an insult to the Author of the Universe or an assault on Nature. Humans are funny. They often engage in behaviors that are detrimental to themselves and other living things. If the mean, little boy who stands torturing his chained dog with a power spray of cold water would listen to his own sense of morality, he would know that his actions are wrong and would stop. For some reason, bullies of every stripe get a kick out of pushing around those who are weaker than themselves, or those whom they can easily dominate.

Some men, ineffective in their own lives because of their own deficiencies, enjoy verbally and physically browbeating their wives and children. Some of the more famous celebrities make news due to their reprehensible behavior of threats, violence, name-calling, or bigotry. Oh yes, alcohol can be blamed, in some instances, but often drinking is just an excuse, not a reason.

As a shocking aside, along the same lines of thinking about persecution by bigots, I heard a song (on PBS television) sung by jazz singer Billie Holiday (1915-1959) about “ hanging from a tree.” The song, of course, refers to southern lynchings of Blacks, in past years. Those killed were a “lesson” to others, and a result of an illogical lack of moral sense: people caught up in the group mentality that calls for action before thought.

If the news about some Islamic countries is true, then Muslim men have no problem in stoning people to death or finding any excuse to “off” women or severely punish them. To Westerners, their actions are barbaric. As usual, the motivation for violence is all about individual power and maintenance of hierarchies. Power can kept by intimidation and persecution: by making others “stay in their place.”

The only true freedom lies within each individual’s experience of the human condition. Though incarcerated, humans can transcend their temporal surroundings through memory, prayer, and visualization. When prisoners of war are kept in solitary confinement, their own brains full of hope and faith can be a primary source of survival.

To sum up, external compasses will help us to reach one geographical point or another. A moral compass has a far greater purpose. It aids us in becoming our own point of reference, and our own guide to determining what is right and wrong. This subjective, visceral index that we all carry may be unseen but can be experienced, just the same, if only we will listen to our best selves.

Whether you head north, south, east or west today, listen to yourself. Consider how your choices could impact the quality of the rest of your life. Even the best hand-held compass cannot provide that information, and no scientific device will ever be as important as your own moral compass. Unspoken hunches and sensibilities are your constant companions. Listen to them! They speak volumes!

In life, we all take a few wrong turns, but there is always a chance to “recalculate,” even without a GPS system.

“Don’t worry. Be happy!”

“It’s a long and winding road.” – The Beatles

Patricia Cummings

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 18th, 2010 at 8:03 am and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.