We turn a blind eye; we ignore something and pretend we don’t see it. We overlook something or pay no attention. Perhaps it's easier that way.
We turn a blind eye to something we think will hurt us, but to ignore something that we know is wrong or affecting someone else, that’s when turning a blind eye becomes wrong. If turning a blind eye gives us a better outcome, or an outcome we can work with, then perhaps we could be forgiven for turning the other cheek.
I believe that if more of us took individual responsibility for dealing with our own issues without turning a blind eye and helped others with what they had to deal with, we'd all be in a much better place and world.
I agree with you on this.
If something or someone is being bothered by another person we should put our 2 cents in if we can. If being quiet works better we should be quiet.
I know if I don't say or do something, it always bothers me if the outcome isn't good. It affects me more than the person it was intended for.
If I see an injustice first hand I will speak up.
Thanks Lisa. You're absolutely right, it's important for us to speak up, if someone else finds it difficult to speak up for themselves. Not everyone has that ability and turning a blind eye doesn't help anyone.
As a child I found it very difficult, but I speak up now regardless of circumstances. I'm pleased you speak up too.
This sounds like the story of my life, for the most part! It probably didn't help either that the majority of my childhood was spent doing exactly this.
The worst part was that I was a very caring and sensitive child who happened to end up being broken after years of brain washing. I made many bad choices because of this and wasted a good part of my life trying to ignore my feelings about it.
I've had to really focus on accepting my wrongs and realize that if I could change things I would. Now the most I can do is try to focus on what I can change and try to make the best out of the rest of my life!
Thanks Randy. I think when you and I were growing up a lot of things were overlooked and/or missed by our parents. It seemed to be that generation.
Parents' paid little to no attention at all and seemed to turn a blind eye to most things we would have had to deal with as children. I think you're right Randy, you can always change things from now.
Turning a blind eye is often the easy option and it can take great strength of character not to do so.
By getting involved and doing and saying what we ought to, when we ought to avoids us looking back and wishing we had done things differently.
Well put. You've left me with nothing more to add.
Hi, Ilana. Very good post today. I was raised to, when I could, stand up for someone and/or lend a helping hand.
I have been burned by doing so and by not doing so. If there is a chance that some good can come by my intervening, I will choose that route. Have a good day Ilana.
Joe
Thanks Joe. I hope you have a good day too.
There's nothing wrong with being to taught to lend a helping hand or stand up for someone if they need us to, it's to be embraced... but that can backfire if people begin to take advantage of our being kind.
Unfortunately if and when that happens, we're more likely to turn a blind eye and less likely to want to help.
Ugh, how I wish I could turn a blind eye to many things in my life. Those that are important always seem to be in the forefront of my mind and bother me constantly.
If I were able to filter things and ignore the ones that are not important that wouldn't be such a bad thing! You are right though, if we took responsibility for things and try to work and fix them, we'd be better off.
Thanks Maria.
I can understand why people choose to ignore things that seem so difficult and end up turning a blind eye, but if we work on the assumption that things happen for a reason, things will always be there whether we choose to deal with them or not, so there is no real point in ignoring or turning the other cheek on things we have to deal with.
As hard as it is to have to be and take responsibility, in the longer term it's always the right thing to do and you're right Maria, we would be much better off.