D-Day

I have been wondering why I have been writing the way I have been of late.  I think it has a bit to do with a book I am reading at the moment.  It is talking about seeing the possibilities in people.
I guess I am ready to judge harshly when I see some behaviour that in my opinion is unacceptable or does not conform to societies norms.  Those that know me know I am all for consequences and paying dues where they are owing.
What I am into of late is seeing beyond that.  Seeing what can be done when I or anyone blows it.  When the first inclination is to write off, to bar the way to the second chance (or the 50th).
I only know what is true for me.  I am not responsible for the decisions of another, but I am responsible for my own actions.  I can warn, cajole, or encourage but ultimately everyone makes decisions for themselves.
What I want to ensure is that when another makes a decision for the good and I can help, then I am ready to.  I know that decisions like that are lonely places.  If I am fortunate there are others ready to come to my aid, but I make decisions like that by myself.  It does not matter if someone is right in front of me and encouraging me to take a certain action, I alone make the decision.
Like when my head hits the pillow at night.  It does not matter if there is someone right beside me.  I am alone from another’s physical presence at the time and when I make decisions (it could be deciding to go get bread) I alone make that decision to do it.
Like everyone, I do not know where that decision will lead.  In the case of getting the bread I imagine it a certain way, like getting in the car and going to the shops and getting the bread and driving home.  Yet the best I can do is imagine.
I only know one thing.  Good decisions lead to good outcomes.  Good outcomes do not necessarily mean easy outcomes.  Sometimes making good decisions leads to difficult actions.  But if the action is easy or hard, I have found one thing - it is always good.
I heard and read about a guy who was a warlord in Africa.  He personally killed and maimed thousands.   He ended up making a good decision (good for him and others).  But that good decision led to some hard actions.  Certainly not all of life was hard, but there were hard things he felt to do.  He wanted to wipe his slate clean as much as he could.
He asked the mums of the ones he had killed for forgiveness.  Some forgave him and some did not.  The point for him was that he had done what he felt to do.  Others had decisions to make themselves, and he was just following through on a decision he had made.  Not easy - but clearing the deck.
The point for me is now he is contributing to society big time.  Yet in his warlord days he was a menace to many.
It seems to me that sometimes wrapped in undesirable elements are those who potentially have much to give.  Sometimes that comes to the fore and sometimes it does not.  It seems to me my role only is to be ready.