Photography, Pheelings, and Phirday. 09.06.2019

Consequence
Growing up we are taught the things we do to others or ourselves have consequences. Whether it is good or bad, typically the latter, there is a reaction for what we do thus teaching causation.
In my childhood, I learned early on about negative consequences. I was a known troublemaker earning me a special eye from adults. If there was a fish tank you bet, I would try to feed the fish; ultimately dumping the whole jar in. If there were shiny objects those became my objective. Once I saw a bowl filled with something metallic in the cupboard. I would climb the countertop to reach it; resulting in cuts because the shiny object was knives or realizing that hot incandescent bulbs can set tissues on fire. I almost created a small house fire.

These consequences in my case were negative because I did something wrong; Therefore, someone needs to tell me otherwise or I would continue to do it. As a result, I would say I tend to think things through..maybe a little bit too much.

In any case, what about the opposite such as a good result? Although we don’t normally think of consequences as good, by definition, a consequence is a reaction or effect of an action. For example, if I clean the dishes or table after dinner no one will fight over the whole” who is doing the dishes” and/or no one will ask me to do the dishes. Therefore, to save me the ” surprise you’re doing the dishes” or stalling of whomever and not getting anything done will do the dish; the positive consequence is no time is wasted and things get done or getting home from school and doing your homework right away. No nagging from parents, plain and simple.
However, I feel in some respect the consequence is misplaced. As in is the consequence(s) are placed upon you introspectively. Why is it that adults feel responsible for the child(s) actions? Is it not the fault of the person(s) to claim their own mistake or effect? Yes, there is a difference with correcting mistakes as there is a way to explain the problems because someone doesn’t know or they haven’t learned yet. I am talking about I know in XYZ scenario; I have acknowledged it and I will proceed with the results. The perfect example is pregnancy. Let’s say a man gets a women pregnant out of consensus intercourse, but the couple was not hoping to get pregnant; other words it was an accident. The couple gets angry and fights with each other. Why? didn’t they make their choice even though there was a negative consequence? Regardless of culture or personal beliefs, it is what happened. It could have happened due to chances with birth control or choosing to go without protection. That is each of their consequence and they deal with it. Let say they’re teenagers and they decided to tell the parents the typical reaction would be that the parents get mad and say this and that blah blah blah. Aside from the fact that there is already a lot of tension in the air; the feeling of frustration does not help the situation.

Of course, having a supporting family in this situation is always beneficial because no expects an accident. However, I can see that sometimes people are swayed by the results of what happens. Meaning, some people do nothing because they can own up to it or because they don’t want other people to face the consequence. True, in the case of accidental pregnancies the issue is a lot bit long term and each party must weight their ability to raise a child. However, I am not talking about the consequences per se more of owning up to the fact of the consequence, realizing what happened, acknowledging it, and proceeding forward with your understanding.
This is where things get a bit murky because each person doesn’t know what the other person is thinking and vice versa. Communication is key and is what make us as a species what we are today. We have to articulate what our intentions are and how they impact us and others; cause and effect. Now in the case of how to do it effectively is based on the person.

The main point is that there is a consequence for everything. If you do something expect the unexpected or at the least, try to come to an understanding for the results. For those that have years of experience under their belt. There is also a time to let people figure things out on their own; Yes, you have done ABC; Therefore, I know you should do this, or you shouldn’t do this. Here’s the thing, yes, past experiences do help people process current or future endeavors. However, that does not mean it should be a stopping point for the other person. Don’t stop someone else from doing something just because you didn’t like it and likewise don’t get upset when someone doesn’t always take you “experiential advice”; to each their own. Understanding consequences will help you make better decisions because at the end of the day we are our own selves other people are doing their own thing, it is your own decision to help someone it is your own decision not to. If you are a person giving advice do not get worked up if someone does not use your advice on the same token when a person suggestion something don’t just immediately do it. Think about it first weight your opinions too.

As well, I feel that the consequences that affect one person should really be weighed in by that person. Meaning If you decide to proceed with some plan of attack that does not affect anybody else that is your burden, benefit, effect to take on. Don’t go blaming others if it doesn’t turn out good and for other people don’t good tearing someone down because they believe otherwise; it is their own leave them alone. If the effect is toward multiple; there is a level of communication and delicacy that should be taken into consideration due to the nature dealing with multiple people. At the end of the day, there are reactions to whatever you do in life. However, you are the only you focus on that and avoid all the extra-ness that some people bring to the table.