On Newton’s Theory of Relativity
I used to dread physics - I barely made it through that class and, consequently, it’s not as useful to me as it might have been had I paid more attention. But, nonetheless, there is one sentence, one rule that even today echoes in my mind with alarming frequency - Newton’s third physical law of motion that states, “Every action must have an equal and opposite reaction.”
So basically, if A exerts a force (F) on an object (B), then B will respond with an equal and opposite force (-F) on A. If my hand (A) punches (F) a wall (B), then the wall (B) will respond by making my hand (A) hurt (-F).
These are the laws of motion of the Universe, but are they also the laws that govern human interaction? Are the laws of motion subject to the influences of compassion, empathy, or simply an ability to ignore? Are humans able to exist as beings resistant to the law of reaction?
I think I must ask myself these questions almost every day because I realize that I do NOT want to be a reactionary person. I don’t want how (-F) I conduct myself (B) to be dictated by a reaction to someone (A) else’s transgressions (F). It’s hard sometimes, right? Think about it. You want to be a nice person, but the imbecile you’re arguing with keeps raising his voice and just doesn’t get it. Now, you’re not the type of person who normally raises your voice, but this guy is doing it to you, so maybe you think that it’s the only way he’ll get it. So you (B) change your normal behavior and yell (-F) at him (A) as a reaction to him yelling (F) at you.
Where does it get you? Does the guy finally get it? Maybe. But what do you compromise in the process? Do you even compromise? I mean what’s the big deal? So you yelled at this guy. That doesn’t mean that generally your character isn’t one that is gentle, calm and patient.
But really, if you WERE in fact gentle, calm and patient, then you wouldn’t find yourself resorting to yelling in the first place because you are a gentle, calm and patient person before you are a reactionary one.
If you resort to yelling when you think that’s normally out of character for you, then you are a reactionary person. Sometimes it feels good - especially when it works to get your point across.
But most of the time, for me, it doesn’t actually feel good because I feel like I’m compromising my integrity. (I know it sounds nerdy, but I can’t help it.) So I categorically try to live my life as a non-reactionary person. I fight with myself all the time about it - react or be indifferent. And you know what? When I don’t react, I save my integrity, but on some level, I find that I still compromise. Sometimes people really don’t get your point when you stick to your character guns. Sometimes people still walk all over you and people still get away with being disrespectful, and at the end of the day, they don’t always learn what you want them to, they don’t always catch their cue to apologize, and sometimes, that unrealized potential of an amazing relationship or friendship or discussion or learning point just goes to waste.
If integrity is so valuable, and in my mind so absolute, then why doesn’t it always work?? What the hell man.
