Gratitude is ubiquitous.  Everyone is talking about it, writing in journals devoted to it, and practicing it. There are literally thousands and thousands of memes created to display the word and what’s behind it, posters and needlepoint pillows illustrating it, and athletes using the word to share their victories.

So, I thought I’d take the concept of gratitude one step higher and explore the greater good.   Let’s start, as I typically do, with a definition.

The phrase “for the greater good” means doing something that benefits the majority of people, even if it requires sacrificing individual interests or smaller concerns.  It is often used to justify something that might be controversial but is believed to lead to a better outcome for a larger community or population.

For example, a company might implement cost-cutting measures that are tough on employees but necessary to keep the business afloat, ultimately benefiting everyone in the long run.  Road construction is another example.  While taking months to widen a freeway or repave a bumpy surface street, the end result is a smoother (literally and figuratively) drive.

That being said, there can be downsides to always prioritizing the greater good. Here are a few potential issues:

1. Individual Rights: Constantly prioritizing the greater good can sometimes infringe on individual rights and freedoms. People might feel their personal needs and desires are being ignored or sacrificed.
2. Moral Dilemmas: Decisions made for the greater good can lead to moral dilemmas. For example, actions that benefit the majority might harm a minority, raising ethical concerns about fairness and justice.
3. Short-Term vs. Long-Term: Focusing on the greater good might lead to decisions that are beneficial in the short term but harmful in the long term, or vice versa. Balancing immediate needs with future consequences can be challenging.
4. Unintended Consequences: Actions taken for the greater good can have unintended negative consequences. For instance, a policy intended to improve public health might inadvertently cause economic hardship for certain groups.
5. Complexity and Uncertainty: Determining what constitutes the greater good can be complex and uncertain. Different people and groups might have conflicting views on what is best for society as a whole.

Balancing the greater good with individual needs and ethical considerations is a nuanced and often challenging task.  It’s important to prepare for the possibility that things might happen to interfere with your vision of what’s for the greater good, even those things that are totally out of your control.

During this election season, there are many things we can each do for the greater good.  My list starts with abandoning the urge to convince people that my political positions are right and theirs are wrong.  Instead, I have committed to helping people register to vote.  That is undoubtedly for the greater good of my community and my country.  I’ll address this in a future article, so check back on Wednesdays.

In the meantime, if you haven’t already, start with gratitude and work up to the greater good.