Self observation and personal awareness

Self Observations

Throughout the week I was forced to face a number of moral decisions in my daily life, from not telling the truth to obeying traffic laws. Until this assignment, I never really observed my own moral decision making process, and doing so enabled me to discover many personal traits. While this examination has given me plenty to think about, this essay will examine in detail three particular moral decisions I was forced to make, the thought processes behind them, and how they impacted my view of myself.

One of the moral decisions I am forced to make on a daily basis is whether or not to tell the truth. I lied to my boss and called in sick to work on a day when I just wanted to stay home. Another is whether to help those in need. I saw a homeless person on the street and when he asked for money I just could not say no. There are many times during the week when I witnessed fellow employees breaking work policy and simply looked the other way.

I was always taught to tell the truth, however, as I grew older I came to realize that sometimes lying is a necessity. Life experiences, which are the building blocks of character, have taught me that not telling the truth is sometimes the only way for things to work out. Lying when trying not to hurt another's feelings, or lying when no one is effected has always been the standard by which I have lived my life, but if someone gets hurt, or I am asked straight-up, and told this is a very serious question, I cannot seem to be able to lie. I have discovered that I will only feel comfortable about lying when the situation is not crucial. If not crucial, then I do not seem to care.

Something very similar happens to me when I am confronted by others in need, particularly the homeless. I am a Christian and have never forgotten that Jesus instructed his followers to care for the least of his brothers, and by doing so one would be caring for Christ. I see Christ in every person who needs help and cannot pass by without giving them at least the change in my pocket. I usually feel a sense of guilt when I see someone in need because I know that I don't really want to give away my money. I am usually ashamed at myself for my initial reaction of not wanting to help, but that feeling is removed when I actually do help them. Not only do I feel relieved of the guilt, but I also feel a sense of accomplishment.

When it comes to my work, I feel I have a responsibility to my fellow employees more than I have to the company. As part of a union, there is always the feeling of "us" against the company, and since the company is always putting profits above their employees' needs, then the company is a fair target. When I witnessed other employees breaking company policy such as talking on personal phones, using computers for personal use, or taking long breaks, I am faced with an easy moral decision. I as generally feel that the company I work for constantly views employees like me as a commodity to be abused, then payback is fair game. As long as no laws are broken, only company policy, then I really do not care. To me the employer-employee relationship is a constant struggle for financial security and survival; and when trying to survive, anything is fair game.