veganproductjunkie

We all come into this chaotic world with different gifts, strengths and weaknesses.  The problems begin when society forces us to ignore the things we’re good at, when our parents tell us we’ll never make it if we follow our dreams, or when bullies at school tell us we’re not good enough.  Our talents diminish.  We never “become” or “arrive.”  We hate our jobs, our spouse, our boring mediocre existence.  We drink too much, watch porn, down pills or have affairs.

I firmly believe we are not all we’re told we are.  Whether that’s a spiritual statement, I cannot say.

But I do know human behavior and psychology is fascinating.

Why are we so quick to label and condemn?

One of my morbid curiosities (has absolutely nothing to do with vegan products) is abnormal psychology.  I fell into the subject in a honors college about Monsters and Deviance.  Since then, I’ve read a bajillion books and blogs and watched countless hours of Investigation Discovery, and even considered a PHD in sociology with an emphasis on deviance.

Having recently read The Psychopath Test on the flight home from La-la land, interesting read, noteworthy but probably over-rated, I had an epiphany over several Jacks and Coke.

(Okay I’ve had this epiphany a million times, but drunken epiphanies seem much deeper!):

Everyone has a valid purpose.  If you believe in God, then there is a plan.  Those we label as psychopaths/sociopaths may have evolved from a societal need.

Do I condone callous behavior?  No.  I think people should not be among us stalking and killing.  And people without conscience should not be in positions of power in business, the military industrial complex, Wall Street, healthcare, or…well anywhere really.  But unfortunately how do we weed them out?  So far, it’s impossible.  Psychopaths are EVERYWHERE.  Ergo, I pontificate, these people must have value in our society.  They’re getting things done.  Maybe it wasn’t always so twisted.  I’m sure some of the best artists, musicians, scientists, brilliant thinkers, were/all mad geniuses.  Maybe they didn’t/don’t hurt people in a tragically permanent and damaging ways, who’s to say?  I’m sure they haven’t done focus groups on the subject.

But what do I know?  Don’t we all hurt each other?  Sometimes without trying?  We’re human, right?  To err is human, to forgive divine.  I have come across individuals I believe to be sociopathic/psychopathic in my life, and if you believe Martha Stout’s statistics (she wrote The Sociopath Next Door), so have you, but unlike many bloggers, therapists, and victims, I support these individuals.

They are here for a reason.  They serve a purpose.  It seems humanity in general is quite psychopathic.  Yet we would like to shift the blame for our economy, our collective unwillingness to help others, our blatant narcissism and desire for wealth, power, fame, and reality television to those we’ve already designated as scapegoats–like psychopaths.

I say why not support each other?  In all of our flaws?  There are some exceptions to the golden rule.  Do I support and condone the actions of child-molesters?  Hell no.  Rapists?  They should be castrated.  But I put up with Republicans and bigots and I’ve spent time among the very wealthy and the very destitute of all races. I’ve seen and heard the most foul and the most inspiring deeds and actions from both. I’ve had the great fortune to visit several different countries and be immersed in different cultures, only to realize the differences are not what you’d think.  We are all still human.  I am pro-gay-rights even though I *sigh* am a heterosexual man-hater.

We are all unique even though we share common ancestors.  So as unpopular as this stance may be, given that we like to shame and denounce various groups of the current moment, I stand behind my support of those we label as psychopaths whether they deserve the label or not.  i am not one of those cray-cray women who write to incarcerated serial killers and eventually marry them.  And puh-lease, I’m not so naive to think that heinous crimes committed by said psychopaths are in any way shape or form less disturbing or even socially acceptable.  Evil does exist.  And it’s very very wrong.  But I do believe in choice.  You can choose to use your gifts for good or evil.  Which will you choose?  :0)

I also forgive all of the psychopaths who have wronged me.  Even you and you know who you are.  Not that you care.

Whoa.  I feel like a weight has been lifted off my soul.  Forgiveness is awesome!

Can’t we all just get along?

NOTE: The statements/opinions/experiences expressed on this blog are 90 percent factual.  The rest may be whimsical omission and/or over-exaggeration or complete falsehood.  Don’t ask, don’t tell.  I never do.  xo