POWER of the SUBCONSCIOUS MIND

Posts Tagged ‘an ye harm none do what ye will’

There is an ancient Wiken Rede that finishes “An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will”

This has always sounded good to me and to some extent I adopted it as one of my beliefs.

In hindsight I have hurt some people in relationships along the way all be it not intentionally. I know I have used the Rede as a justification for certain actions that have resulted in harm to others.

The problem is that we are not always able to assess the consequences and impact of our actions on others.

Most societies have laws that restrict the speed at which you can drive on particular roads. Most people understand and accept that these restrictions have been determined to minimize the possibility and severity of accidents.

Despite this individuals continue to speed. They do NOT do so in the belief that they will have an accident – to the contrary they believe they will not otherwise they would slow down.

They are making their own assessment in accordance with the Rede whether or not they have even heard of it.

I am often frustrated by laws which arbitrarily are set to work to the lowest common denominator in society. I resent being restricted or penalized because a law needs to take into account stupid people or other variables such as road condition.

So when it’s a beautiful clear day with virtually no other traffic on the road the temptation is to speed. The only thing that might persuade us against doing so is the threat of a penalty.

Without the laws restricting our speed it would be up to individuals to make their own assessment of what speed is safe which would be similar to following the Rede. I think most people already realize this would not work.

The principle behind the Rede is fundamentally good but there is a risk for it to be used as an excuse to be reckless and selfish.

This examination of the Rede was motivated by work I am doing within Attractor Genie as part of getting down My Vision, My Purpose, My Values and My Identity.