You Be The Judge

Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is right and what is wrong? How do you know? Who is to be the judge?

We all experience situations that we're not positively comfortable in and, in most cases, look to family or friends for advice. We ask for advice on our appearance, how we should respond to a question and if it's worth it to mend a friendship. We trust our family entirely and hope that the same trust can be placed in our friends. But, when it comes down to it should we? Does our generation value the meaning of trust with the same respect of those before us? Are the words spoken in comfort backed up by a foundation of truth and decency or exclusively an outlet for the counselor to manipulate the vulnerability of the weak?

It is obvious that when we look to someone for comfort it's usually one who can relate. And, usually that person already has a formed opinion on the subject that we find ourselves so consumed by. In such a vulnerable situation we hang on to the words of our counsel, without any uncertainty. We trust our friends to lead us in the right direction. We hope they will guide us to make the right decision. But, are they unconsciously feeding us their thoughts? Is it true that they refrain from having a biased opinion and give the advice that is best to aid our situation? The integrity of where the advice originates is to be determined in many cases.  

Like windows of a home covered in vines, our vision is concealed, we become overwhelmed and the original purpose is no longer in our focus.  New ideas, right ideas, wrong ideas or even extreme ideas flood our mind from our counsel. We are dealt numerous cards in which we are responsible to pick the correct ones to play. Whether or not we decide to strengthen one idea or ignore them all entirely, it is important that we arrive at the verdict of our choice and not that of others.

I ask for different opinions on an hourly basis, I am easily persuaded, unfortunately, and change my mind hundreds of times before I finally make a decision. I wouldn't say that I'm unconfident or lack the necessary qualities to think for myself. I enjoy learning new ideas and understanding the way someone else interprets the situation I'm enduring. I've learned that even though at times my indecisiveness can consume me I must stay close to my original intent, to only ask for advice, not for someone else to decide my fate.

In college we face obstacles in the form of assignments, exams, our health, peer pressure and even our everyday life. We make the decisions. We are responsible for the effects of those decisions. We must seek advice from others cautiously and consciously with the objective to understand another opinion, not to gain the final resolution.

-Kelli Ponce, Editor In Chief