Why is it that most of us don't act on what we know is right?

Question

For instance, we all know that if we work hard and pour our blood, sweat and tears for something, we can achieve it (or if we don't achieve it, we'll come closer to achieving it than by doing nothing.) Or we all know that doing drugs is bad for us, but there are still a lot of people who do drugs.

Why don't we act on what we know is right and/or good for us?

Answer 1

Self-hatred which is the same as telling God that we don't agree with what He says about us. God says we are wonderful and beautifully and fearfully made. God says we are special.

We deep down do not want to be good to ourselves. We don't think we are worthy or deserving. We refuse to believe what God says about us.

Answer 2

I just posted an answer to a question on a little bit different subject, in which I said it was a pity we couldn't all get a "trial run" to experience the full consequences of our "bad choices", because if we could, I think it would be enough to make most people straighten up and fly right.

The important factor is the length of time between the "act" and the "consequence" You stick your finger in the electric socket, or put your hand on the cooker hotplate, and, boy, you are gonna get that consequence in a hurry. You wanted to check it out.... you got your answer... fast. We have a love affair with "instant gratification" at the expense of longer-term wisdom. When you set a goal to study, work, apply yourself to something that will deliver beneficial results somewhere on down the road, gratification is delayed, and in the meantime, the temptations are all around you to "get some now" as you see others seemingly having a wonderful time and enjoying life to the full.

A drug with a "feel-good" effect, gives you that wonderful immediate gratification. But when it wears off, you remember where you were and you want to get back there... with another hit. How many people at that point stop to say ...."wait a minute, it'll wear off too, and then again, and I have to spend money, and next thing i know, all I can think of is getting my next fix. I'll be going nowhere except sliding down a hill into a black hole. You don't know what that black hole feels like now, because you're not there yet, and even though there is a corner of your mind that is warning you where you're headed, another little voice is saying "ahhh, but what about now? Why not feel good now and let "later" take care of itself"? Yeah, the heck with it, why not?

Ever wonder why that 650 pound person who can't get out of bed, actually got to be 650? There was a time when he was just 250 and rising. didn't he say to himself a thousand times...."Hey, I gotta do something about this"? Sure he did. But by now that other little voice is whispering....hey, 250 ain't that bad. You feel good don't ya? What the heck? You can always start a diet tomorrow, or next week. This is now, and there's a big mac and fries and a six topping pizza with your name on it". What you DON'T feel...... yet..... is the strain of body organs fighting to deal with the excesses of stuff coming in that are clogging the arteries, putting the sludge in your blood, and setting you up for high blood pressure, high blood sugar and a dozen other fat-related illnesses that in time will start to shut down all your body functions and leave you lying in a bed too heavy to move. But all that's somewhere on down the road. Right now, hey, that food tastes so gooooood.

Once again, instant gratification is in conflict with longer-term wisdom. You hear the news, you've got the statistics, you know what's waiting on down the road and round the corner. But you can't FEEEEL it right now. The one thing you know that you CAN feel a few minutes from now, is the buzz from that first drink, and the fun of the crowd at that party you're going to instead of staying home bashing the books. The taste in your mouth of that food you love so much to eat. The moment when that shot of drug hits the brain and you're soaring like a bird. You want to feel good now, and you can always convince yourself that the consequences of the future might not catch up with you. There is, after all, always tomorrow. I can make the change tomorrow. Right now, today, hey, just this one last time. But everybody eventually runs out of "tomorrows" and your point of no return might just be..... today.

Answer 3

drugs are addictions that can't be solved without intervention.
People in general don't get involved in trying to help cure someone that's on drugs because sometimes they might get hurt, it takes time, effort and money which people in general don't have, and because it's more the responsibility of a family member who knows that addicted person well to help take care of that. But sometimes people on drugs are super strong because of the drug, and sometimes both of them can end up in jail. People don't want to give their life and lifestyle just to end up in jail, whether they are family ornot.

Your first comment was about working hard and receiving the medal for doing so. Well that's up to the person to determine their own goals in life and work toward them. Some people weren't taught by their parents of how to work toward something. They merely lack skills. Either they learn those skills early in life from the parents, or later from peers and teachers, or from their own curiosity (like on the net), then something is missing and they go look for help to learn those skills. Everyone is different one from the other. And some people just never see the whole picture, and can't learn to see it.

Answer 4

There are many different reasons why people do drugs: curiosity, escape reality, or want to look like a bad ***. Also some people are lazy or are afraid to try and fail b/c the risk is too big for them to take. It is sometimes hard to do the right thing, especially if it harms someone else.

Answer 5

Most work for the next day off, when they don't have to do what someone else wants them to, but what they like to do. This short term goal prevents us from keeping fit and focused on the big picture, and we become envious of people that seem to do everything right the first attempt, and provide themselves with down or rec time.

Answer 6

Your biggest flaw in your reasoning is not everything is right or wrong there is a HUGE gray area. In fact I would suggest that in most of these situations it is in that gray area. In addition we all have a different sense of morality and hence right from wrong is subjective and depends on the person in question.

Answer 7

we are sinner's by nature. We want the forbidden. Once you do drugs then there is that addicating factor that keeps one on it also. Bad seems to be more fun and eaiser than right and good!

Answer 8

i think it is we are geared toward instant gratification. people get caught up doing things that satisfy them at the moment not for the long term.

Answer 9

Fear