Morality 101

Ok, let's try this one more time. I'll use an analogy because some of you have lost a lot of brain cells chasing highs.

1. Do not take up more space on the beach than you need.
2. Allow other people to have the space they need.
3. Space means more than just physical space. It can also mean psychological space from too much noise or also psychological space from too many unnecessary complaints about noise, etc. This requires tolerance and wisdom.
4. Help others build their sand castles.
5. Love the creativity of your sand castle, and others' too, but don't invest too much of your soul into it. The tides will eventually destroy every sand castle.
6. A child might intentionally destroy someone's sand castle or something similar. Efforts will be made by the community to lovingly guide the child to learn and grow. If an adult does the same, the adult will be permanently removed from the beach, forcibly if necessary.

In case you did not attend pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade, or if you were sleeping, or are simply a psychopath, here is a quick refresher. Remember, these are merely the basics.

1. Do not take what is not yours without asking. Do not take more than what you need. Treat what is not yours better than if it was yours.
2. Treat other people like you would want to be treated if you were them. This requires you to imagine by using your emotions with compassion. This is called empathy.
3. Rules serve people. People do not serve rules.
4. There is an exception to every rule, including this one.

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There once was a man who was building a sand castle with his friends and family. It was elaborate, expansive, intricate, and unique.

Some people were teasing and taunting him. He tried to befriend them. He tried to ignore them.

Some people seemed to intentionally walk too close to the sand castle, causing parts of it to cave in. He tried to befriend them. He tried to ignore them.

Some people kicked sand into his eyes as they shoveled, almost as if on purpose. He tried to befriend them. He tried to ignore them.

Some people knocked over his towers and walls and gates and everything else he had built.

He lost everything he had worked to build. It was his friends and family who had done this to him.

Then they said, "Come and build another sand castle with us."

He told them they must either be insane or think he's a mark.

He is not a mark.