Does it Always Feel Good Doing the "Right" Thing?
"Do the 'right' thing," they say...But what about the 'good' thing?
Do the right thing.
This statement arrives to us from the external world, from a “mighty hand,” an all-knowing parent, or authoritative observer. But…
As humans, are we driven by doing the right thing, or something else?
Do the good thing.
This statement has an internally driven feel to it, with actions resulting from a moral, graceful, kind, compassionate inner compass…from the heart.
Core Values
Doing the right thing may not feel good or be aligned with our values, because what is determined to be “right” oftentimes comes from society, which doesn’t always match what is “right” to us individually, as free-thinking, fairness-pursuing, compassionate-driven beings.
If you value…
Contentment
Compassion
Surrender
Gratitude
Elegance
Freedom
Patience
Courage
Integrity
Grace
Truth
Love
Then doing what is right could be the opposite of what you value.
When you know what you value…you can always choose to do the good thing, because doing the good thing aligns with what’s important to you, with your values.
Doing the good thing is always good because you can feel the expansion in your body from an act of goodness. You can internally align your personal value system with the good thing you are choosing to do.
If you spend a little time to sit quietly and contemplate each one…Doing GOOD versus Doing RIGHT…you’ll notice they are not the same. They do not possess the same qualities or energetic resonances.
If I “do the right thing” - the sensations in my body feel one way.
If I “do the good thing” - the sensations in my body feel quite different.
What is good is right, but what is right isn’t always good.
Obligation Vs. Compassionate Action
Doing right may come from a place of obligation, people pleasing, arrogance, or righteousness.
Doing good comes from a place of heart-centered purpose, grace, and compassionate action. Like giving a sweet treat or gift to another…because you feel internally compelled to do so…without strings attached…because it is good.
Have you ever heard yourself say, “I guess I’ll do the right thing and…(insert the activity of the ‘right thing’).” But doing this ‘right thing’ didn’t really feel like the right thing for you personally? You didn’t feel good after doing the thing.
When this happens, the ‘right thing’ has come from a place of pleasing or wanting to appear virtuous…not from a place of allowing a ‘good thing’ to shine through…not from a place of personal alignment, both inside with our values or outside with our heart’s purpose.
Doing the good thing aligns with the Bible teaching…when you pray, go to your inner, quiet, still place, remove yourself from the outside world, and pray…no boasting, no virtue signaling, no lights or cameras, no shouting out…”Look at me, I’m doing the ‘right’ thing! Aren’t I special?! Aren’t I good?”
When we do a thing that is right, we oftentimes do it for show…someone sees us doing the right thing and we think it makes us feel good to be seen doing what is considered right according to the masses.
But…
When we do a good thing, we can do this thing in silence…and in doing so, we feel expansive, happy, content, free, creative, peaceful.
When we do the right thing, we do it as an offering.
When we do the good thing, we do it because it is pleasing for us to do it...there is a sweetness in doing this good thing.
Doing the good thing allows for our compassionate and purposeful heart to expand as we share our Spirit with the world.
Like buying coffee for the person behind you in line, or paying their toll on the highway…it is a good thing to do, and it feels good.
Like gifting someone in need with some much needed cash or a meal or a warm blanket…doing these things may be “right” on the level of being human - but it’s more than that.
It is good - because it feels good, to you and to anyone else benefitting from your doing this good thing.
And it is right, but it is driven by an internal, loving, goodness, and compassionate action, rather than an external eyebrow raised or demand on our very personal free-will.
Doing the “right thing,”
coming from a place of
wanting to appear “good,” is not the way.
“Do the Good Thing.”
This phrase just feels good.
It makes me smile inside….the thought of doing something good.
It causes my breathing to expand.
It feels complete.
It feels heart-led.
It feels pleasing.
It feels good.
It feels right.
Doing the good thing…feels right.
Whereas…doing the right thing doesn’t always feel good.
We typically aren’t prompted to give money to a homeless person on the side of the road because it is the right thing to do…we do it because it is the good thing to do. It is good to care for others - humans, pets, trees, the grass, birds, butterflies…
It feels good to do a good thing.
Another way of looking…
Doing the good thing can also mean…acquiring a skill, fine-tuning a hobby, and doing it well.
Allowing for the Self to feel aligned with purpose, with excellence…with passion and desire.
It feels good to do a good thing well.
Self-Guided Workshop: Doing the good thing
Find yourself in a comfortable, cozy, resting position…in a safe, quiet, and still environment for this 9m 37sec meditation.
You may like to have something to write with and on for this meditation practice.
We begin with breath…
Close your eyes…
Imagine seeing a homeless man on the side of the road…think to yourself…I’ll do the right thing and give him some money. Feel yourself giving him $5 because you think it’s the right thing to do.
Now change the language…
Imagine seeing a homeless man on the side of the road…think to yourself…I’ll do the good thing and give him some money. Feel yourself giving him $5 because you feel it is the good thing to do.
Right comes from thinking.
Good comes from feeling.
Journaling Prompts
How often do you feel obligated to do what someone else tells you is the right thing to do? What are these things, is there a common theme or a common person/personality type that causes you to feel obligated to do the right thing?
When was the last time you did the right thing, but it didn’t feel good after having done it? What was it? What were the circumstances? Can you figure out the person, societal pressure, or what exactly it was that compelled you to do this thing that was not aligned with your inner compass?
Reflect: Do the right thing. Do the good thing. How are they the same? How are they different? What are the feeling qualities (sensations) you notice with each one? For example, doing the right thing might feel restrictive in some way or cause you to feel agitated…and doing the good thing might cause you to feel happy or uplifted, it may create a sensation of contentment or peace inside.
Final thoughts…
When doing something good, it feels as though my heart has filled with bubbles of kindness and joy…that I can delight in the purpose of living in some quiet, private, meaningful, special way.
I encourage you to explore both phrases, do the right thing & do the good thing, when you’re out in the world.
When you are presented with the need or desire to act upon something, consider if you are doing so because you are driven by the external world and an obligation placed upon you…or, if you are doing so because the act of doing this thing is driven by goodness and it will feel good to do!
❤️ Until next week…When we enter a new month in the season of spring! When we dive into the intention of “I am connected.”
xoxo Michelle
Let’s Connect
I invite you to get in touch if you’d like to share your thoughts or learn how to tap into the present moment through your own personalized yoga, meditation, tarot, and journaling practices so you can find “the good thing” you’d like to be doing well…to learn the same practices that consistently work for me and that I’m confident will be equally as effective for you!
As a Substack subscriber you have access to discounts on private and group Yoga, Meditation, and “Looking” sessions (more on “looking” here and here), as well as Essential Oil samples and wholesale pricing!
Want to try your first Looking Session? Click the button below and let’s meet for 30 minutes to seek a little wisdom for your day or week!
Book a complimentary, 30-minute Looking Session…
Know someone who would benefit from the ideas, insights, and practices shared here?
