What influences your moral compass? What determines its direction today or any other day?
For me, I think it comes from my upbringing. Where I grew and the people I associated (and associate) with. When we're young, we tend to latch on to characteristics we like in other people. I remember talking different and phrasing things differently one year at the end of summer camp. Some might call this "personality mirroring", but I think it's a vital step in the exploration of self.
The question of "who am I?" extends far beyond adolescence.
A study out of Northwestern University concluded that we all carry out a balance of moral and immoral behavior in our life. People who live a life of vice "cleanse themselves with good work", and vice versa. We go to the gym and then "reward" ourselves with typically unhealthy food. A constant shift.
I think for many, life is made of of finding a medium between these two extremes. Too far one way (moral), then people perceive you as too uptight or even "too nice". Too far the other way (immoral), you'll probably wind up in jail.
People stop once they've struck a balance. The longing for identity stops when "life" kicks in. House, kids, car, work. Sometimes it's good to remove yourself from it all and get back in touch with your breath and self. Fully appreciate the beauty of life. It can be as simple as noticing the breeze outside.
What's good for you right now? Moreover, what's bad that you need to move away from?
