Last night I was determined to get a run in, no matter how short. My ankle is getting stronger, and my body is relearning mountain goat nimbleness over rocks and roots. Those darned things took me out last fall so I am mindful to lift my feet higher. Even if I can’t see them, I do not have to trip over what I know is there.
I was pondering the feigned moral outrage politicians assume when a disaster occurs, such as the recent East Palestine derailment. Moral outrage is defined as, “justifiable anger, disgust, or frustration directed towards others who violate ethical values or standards.”
The world does not need our false moral outrage. The world needs our moral courage.
When we were little, we knew the difference between right and wrong, between the truth and a lie. Choosing to do the right thing, choosing to recognize truth and not lie our way out of an awkward situation feels like it gets harder as we become adults. This is the very definition of moral courage–choosing right and truth despite the consequences.
We have the ability to change this! It starts with choosing to do the right thing, even when it’s inconsequential such as replacing the toilet paper when you empty the roll. It includes choosing to do the right thing when there are consequences such as apologizing when you forgot to file a report instead of lying to your boss about it. It especially means having moral courage when the consequences reach national and global proportions such as not lying about superfund sites or taking campaign contributions from industries in exchange for ensuring regulations are not imposed on them.
As each of us makes these choices consistently, we create a culture steeped in doing the right thing and telling the truth. There will be little tolerance or room for actions not in keeping with our morals and ethics. As we shift from a culture that lies and obfuscates for personal gain, to a culture steeped in moral courage, change will happen.
It’s what we learned from Sesame Street, “One of these things is not like the other. One of these things doesn’t belong.” Somethings we should never outgrow. You’re welcome for the ear worm!