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InspirEmail No 189 - August 30, 2010 - The Scorpion and Human Nature
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'

The Scorpion and Human Nature

Terry and his dad Glen were walking along the shore and came upon a scorpion struggling in the tide, trying to get back to the sand. Glen tried to scoop the creature up, but the scorpion stung him and fell back into the tide. Glen tried again and was stung again.

Terry said, 'Dad, leave him alone! He's not worth saving.'

But Glen tried one more time. This time he was successful and threw it onto the sand.

Terry said, 'Why waste time on an ornery critter who's too stupid to know its being helped?'

Glen answered, 'Son, the scorpion stings by instinct. It's his nature. I chose to help him because that's my nature.'

Glen was teaching his son a profound moral lesson about being human. Like other species, we're born with an instinct for survival and a disposition towards selfishness. Yet, blessed by a sense of compassion and the power to reason, we also have an instinct to think and act beyond our self-interest.

Human nature is complex. It's as much in our nature to be kind, loving, and generous as it is to be cruel, selfish, and dishonest. We can nurture or ignore our nobler instincts. Some people act like scorpions. Trapped by negative instincts and response patterns, they think it's their nature and hide behind the belief, 'That's the way I am.'

No one is born with good or bad character. We're born with the capacity to have either, to choose our ultimate nature. When we choose to be good, we are good.

Written by Michael Josephson

Michael Josephson is one of the most sought-after and quoted ethicists. Founder and president of Josephson Institute and its Character Counts project, he has conducted programs for more than 100,000 leaders in government, business, education, sports, law enforcement, journalism, law, and the military. Mr. Josephson is also an award-winning radio commentator. You can subscribe to his regular free Character Counts Commentaries on the website. To view the contact details please visit . . . Positive Inspirational Links >>>

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What you are

You are strong when you take your grief and teach it to smile.
You are brave when you over come your fears and help others to do the same.
You are happy when you see a flower and are thankful for the blessing.
You are loving when your own pain does not blind you to the pain of others.
You are wise when you know the limits of your wisdom.
You are true when you admit there are times you fool yourself.
You are alive when tomorrow's hope means more to you then yesterday's mistakes.
You are growing when you know what you are but not what you will become.
You are free when you are in control of yourself and do not wish to control others.
You are generous when you can take as sweetly as you can give.
You are humble when you do not know how humble you are.
You are thoughtful when you see me as just as I am and treat me just as you are.
You are merciful when you forgive in others the faults you condemn in yourself.
You are beautiful when you do not need a mirror to tell you.
You are rich when you never need more than what you have.
You are you when you are at peace with who you are not.

InspirEmail

The Scorpion and Human Nature

Featured Positive Inspirational Story

Nothing is long or short, hot or cold, good or bad!

What you are

- Inspirational Quote -

We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If you are always there for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you Jeff Warner

We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If you are always there for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you
Jeff Warner