A series of thoughts part 2: Understanding Why

Do you understand why things happen, or do you just know? Do you understand the reasoning behind the things people do, or do you just see what's on the surface? It's the difference between manslaughter and murder. One is with intent, one is without. You might have done the exact same thing, but it's why you did it that matters more. What your intentions are.

If you go to a movie, and you hear someone's phone ringing during the movie. What do you think? "Oh, that bastard." Or something similar? Sure, nobody likes it, but what if he had a good reason? What if he wasn't a careless selfish ass who left his phone on? What if his father is in the hospital and his friends took him out for a good time since he's been moping at home for several days? What if his phone is on in case of an emergency call? Do you know? Would you like to find out or would you rather just assume that you already know why? When you see a preacher on TV. Is he really trying to save your soul, or is he in the buisness as a power trip? Maybe it's for the money? Do you know? Or, maybe he really is completely honest and truely trying to help you?

Now, I'm not saying that this is always the case, and that yes, most of the time they are just an asshole who left their phone off because they were careless or seflish. But you think you know, but do you really? Do you understand why? What you do, is important. Why you did it, can be more important. Maybe you helped a coworker with a problem they had. But, did you do it to genuinely help them, or did you do it to impress another coworker? Did you only listen to your friend to try to get on their good side, or did you genuinely care? Why is just as important, if not more important, than what. Do you understand why things happen, or do you just know?