The New Tipping Point

I recently visited an amazing exhibit at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. It was a display entitled The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army, and showed the amazing statues that surrounded the remains of the first amazing emperor of China. The exhibit also tells about his life and accomplishments, which were amazing. One thing that struck me was his philosophy: "Men are inherently evil and need to be controlled." This contrasted with the earlier philosophy of Confucious: "People are inherently good and need to be believed in." Both of these philosophies are correct. We are all evil and we are all inherently good. Each day we have situations that give us opportunities to tip in the evil or good direction – to follow what we know is right or not; to be ethical or not. Our entire world is facing this tipping point. A restructuring of values and goals is shaping us and leading us to embrace the good in us. Those that don't are facing seriousl difficulties in their lives – or will shortly.

I know several people, who like myself, try to overlook the evil in the world and focus on the good. Unfortunately, this blindsided approach often leads to problems when we get sideswiped by some evil scheme or malintentioned person. I now see life and people for what they are and avoid the evil. It's there, but I don't have to be around it, or buy into it. It's a good example, in fact, for me to look within and do even more evil cleansing. Each glimpse at evil is an affirmation to me to honor the good within and tip correctly in each moment. To act with integrity, and do the right thing. I also watch my thoughts and eliminate ineffective negative beliefs and criticisms of myself and others.

I may not change the world, but each tip changes the world around and within me.