Know your dark places but don't live there

That man is truly good who knows his own dark places.
- Beowulf

Those who judge others either are unaware of their own dark places or they disown them.

The objective of life is not to dwell in our dark places, nor to remain constantly bright and cheery. It's to form a balance where we are aware of the potential for both, while not allowing the negative to take us over.

When we know our own dark places, we can look at the misbehaviours of others differently. We can forgive more easily.

Should we ignore the misbehaviour of others, such as allowing most criminals to walk free without accounting for their crimes? Of course not. But we can work to ensure that they do not remain as social rejects while in prison so that they may have the confidence and personal fortitude to be able to fit into society when they are released.

However, would it not be better to give these people the tools and skills they need to survive in the world before they go off track? No one is born wanting to be a criminal, they become that because they can't cope with the rigours of their lives.

We can teach children and adolescents the knowledge and skills that will help them to stay within the bounds of social acceptability as adults. And we would prevent many psychological disorders and welfare cases at the same time.

Imagine the tax savings alone. Half our current taxes are spent repairing broken people. We could save that by teaching what people need before they need it.

That's what Turning It Around is all about. Join us and learn more.

Bill Allin
'Turning It Around: Causes and Cures for Today's Epidemic Social Problems,' striving to keep people from breaking when Crazy Glue won't work.
Learn more at http://billallin.com/cgi/index.pl