Despite our best intentions, it is not always that we live by this ethical code that is deeply embedded in all of us.

Much of my writings are geared to logical approaches to a an overwhelming world and this is definitely no exception. I don’t want to underestimate importance of this concept because I feel it is so extremely powerful.

It is quite intriguing to me that this world is made up of so many beautiful, yet so many diluted and unscrupulous, minds. Obviously, people are not born with certain personality deficiencies, as much of it is learned behaviors.

To intimately understand and comprehend another’s feelings, thoughts, and motives is much of what empathy resonates.

However, this is easier said than done. An awesome way to truly understand your own set of values, is to genuinely approach life indiscrimanently with this viewpoint.

So how can empathy really help design a system of higher and lower values so easily?

It is just like Golden Rule says, treat everyone like you would want to be treated.

Would you want to be belittled constantly? No. Would you want to be disregarded by others? No. Does being disrespected hurt? Yes.

Temporarily plant your mind into another’s and attempt to understand their plights.

Although you may say, Brian, why should I always respect people when most of them have no respect for others anyway?

If our entire world treated each other in this manner, most everyone would have contempt for everyone else.

By taking a stroll in someone else’s shoes when dealing with all people; you automatically detach from very learned narcissism we all are accustomed to and approach your relationships more positively and kinder.

In my humble opinion, it is by far most selfless way to approach ones life, so to deny its significance would definitely be wrong!

A parent who consistently talks down to their children in attempts of suppressing their self esteem would be a perfect citing of dysfunction.

It is quite obvious that none of us can escape dysfunction. Television and media cater to an extremely dysfunctional character trait that I believe is learned, not necessarily inherited. The you angle is portrayed as subtle, but quite effective.

When media designs a mass advertising campaign, they brainstorm best way to approach any perspective consumer in a targeted demographic. The you angle feeds a person’s sense of “what’s in it for me and how can I benefit”? This mindset, I feel, carries over into all phases of one’s life creating an environment of constantly coveting self fulfillment.

So with this said, how does one break this powerful mold media injects daily onto you?

First, recognition of what is right and wrong is a good place to start because all-encompassing media does not care about average person, they simply care about selling products, magazines, newspapers, and like. This is much like recognizing your opponent’s weaknesses by studying them before you engage them in whatever competition; a person must understand this insurgent aspect of media.

The media is just one example of dysfunction, but there are literally hundreds of examples one could conjure up, and it would take an entire book to list and explain each one of them.