DID OJ REALLY DO IT?
A class of opinions that we would do well to avoid, or, if that’s not possible, remain detached, are those primarily based upon personal judgment.
Regarding this thought, a very pleasant memory comes to mind. I was strolling down Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, California, when something written on an 8.5 x 11 white piece of paper caught my eye. First of all, I point out that the buildings, trees, telephone poles, lampposts, and even an occasional fire hydrant were literally covered with pieces of paper, and I had seldom stopped to take a look at any of them, both before and after this one in particular somehow reached out and grabbed my attention.
It started something like: “You know these days there are a number of people discussing the O.J. Simpson trial.” (This should give you a pretty good idea of when “these days” took place) “There are some people, who believe he is innocent and should be acquitted. There are some other people, who believe he is guilty and should be convicted and pay the price. Both groups believe that they are right. In fact, so much so, that no matter how hotly this matter is contested, not much ever comes of it. I mean, the most that might reasonably be expected, would be a dramatic shift from “guilty” to “innocent”, or vice versa, to the other side’s point of view. But of what value is this? You see, the only person who knows for sure is OJ himself. He’s the only one that absolutely knows the truth of the matter. And it is upon this that justice will be served. All the outside discussion in the world really has no effect upon either of these. There is, however, an unseen power that also knows the truth of the matter, and has already determined what the consequences will be. Therefore, it occurs to me that it would be much more valuable for people, if they spent less time arguing OJ’s guilt or innocence, and spent more time discussing the concepts of truth and justice.”
Indeed! That would be constructive. What I just described occurred during a stretch in my past that I fondly refer to as my “Golden Age;” i.e., when I ran around telling everyone I bumped into – even strangers as I recall — about the importance of living life according to The Golden Rule. You know, “Do onto others what you would have them do onto you.” Which I always made a point of further illustrating by adding what I considered philosophically to be its Eastern equivalent: “what goes around comes around in greater measure; i.e., put good out there, and get better back. Put bad out there, and get worse back.
Therefore, the moral of the story might be, whether “an unseen power” is translated to mean the power of God, as our unknown author may have been thinking, or the power of the principle(s) underlying the Golden Rule, as I just defined, OJ would be getting exactly what he deserved – despite the final ruling of the court.
This, of course, is further substantiated via Emerson’s Law of Compensation: “Give more, get more.” Once again, “more” refers to both good and evil.
As for the people in hot debate, aren’t they a bit like those that love to gossip? They are certainly offering up healthy portions of good ol’ discordant personal judgment about what could be better than murder. As Charles Haanel writes;
“If your thought has been critical or destructive, and has resulted in any condition of discord or inharmony in your environment, it may be necessary for you to cultivate a mental attitude which will be conducive to constructive thought.”
All that OJ debate: bad for the debaters and bad for the environment.
A fitting conclusion comes from Emmett Fox’s 7-Day Mental Diet:
“It is the thoughts I allow myself to think, the subjects that I allow myself to
dwell upon, which make me and my surroundings what they are. As thy days, so
shall thy strength be. Everything in my life today – the state of my body, whether
healthy or sick, the state of my fortune, whether prosperous or impoverished, the
state of my home, whether happy or the reverse, the present condition of every
phase of my life in fact – is entirely conditioned by the thoughts and feelings which
I have entertained in the past, by the habitual tone of my past thinking.
And the condition of my life tomorrow, and the next week, and next year, will be
entirely conditioned by the thoughts and feelings which I choose to entertain from
now onwards.”
Thank you, Loren… Today is a day that the particular section of Emerson you chose to write about, to remind us of, ministers to me BIG. I’m so thankful for the power of the written word, the spoken word, and community. What a masterful combination to effect change within us… Grateful and thankful for you! 🙂
Kris, I seem to be at a loss for words today. You’ve stolen my thunder, so to speak. Nonetheless, the world would not be the same without you! (I guess you missed the tiny spark hidden in the corner :)) Thank you!
Your beliefs have always been correct Loren. I used to say life is like a boomerang …whatever you put out there always comes back. 🙂 Seems we both had it figured out and now get to deepen our understanding of how and why.
Speaking of “how and why”, if you have yet to read “Power Vs. Force” by David Hawkins, I sincerely hope you can fit it in. Thanks for the affirmation, Lydia.
I too am glad to have that particular part of the 7 Day Diet put in front of me again. I enjoyed reading your blog and reiteration of the basics. What you send out to he Universe comes back.
Apparently, I sent out something pretty good, Lauri, because “wham!” here you are! Thanks, Lauri.
No Opinions linked to Emmerson’s give more get more linked to Haanel linked to Emmett Fox’s 7 Day Mental Diet…BAM – thanks for making all the connections!
I believe this is why I was particularly fond of Lincoln Logs when I was growing up, Kris. It was a sign of things to come. Thanks!
Great thoughts Loren. I really enjoyed your perspective. Have a great week!
It seemed like a bunch of other folks were responsible for most of my material this week, Kim…but I’ll take as much credit as you are willing to give me. Thanks!