To
do nothing is to do something because deciding to do nothing is a conscious
action.
There
are instances when doing nothing is appropriate. A 'wait and see' approach to a
problem may allow time for additional information to become available or events
to take a course that makes a decision to act unnecessary. Common sense
medicine, the kind doctors used to have to practice because they had few drugs
or procedures at their disposal, usually urged waiting to see if the body would
heal itself. If symptoms worsen, then intervene. Today our tendency is to seek
a medical opinion at the first sign of something untoward happening in our
constitution, and we expect to be given something to make us better
immediately. It will possibly be only a palliative that may have little or no
actual effect and made unnecessary because of our body's own remarkable
curative powers.
Unfortunately,
there are instances when doing nothing may enable a wrong to be perpetuated.
'Don't get involved!' is a mantra all too common in today's unstable and
fracturing society. There is always a personal risk when one acts, especially
on behalf of another in an unpopular cause. Criticism, retribution, even
personal harm might be the result. Several people were severely injured or lost
their lives because they decided to do something about the evil of racism when
it would have been much safer to do nothing.
Doing
nothing may rest body, mind and spirit but it also may result in a missed
opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of others. Before you
make the decision to do nothing, weigh the options, and the benefits against
the consequences carefully.
No comments:
Post a Comment