Up the road from us, a neighbor built a fully-functioning replica of an old-fashioned Conoco gas station on his property. In doing do, the neighbor created this view for others in our rural, single-family dwelling kind of neighborhood.
This would never happen in places with strict zoning laws — but Montana prides itself on not being a “Nanny State.”
Apparently Live and Let Live means enjoying your individual freedom while your neighbor enjoys their Conoco gas station.
The tension between the rights of individuals to pursue happiness when there are different views of happiness is tough.
Someone said something to the effect that your freedom to swing your fist ends where my nose begins (source not established).
This is helpful — until we consider what constitutes our metaphorical noses.
Is my nose assaulted by the placement of a replica gas station into my mountain view? I do not think so but another neighbor was so affronted by the gas station that they planted a little forest to block the view.
Do I have a bloodied nose if workplace policies and procedures are disregarded? If someone cheats at a dog show? If someone takes unauthorized funds and/or services from a club or other voluntary organization to which I have a fiduciary responsibility?
And even tougher — is a broken nose sometimes the lesser of two evils?
Some people are really good at taking blows, taping up that nose to preserve relationships or avoid general unpleasantness.
I am not.
I do think I am better at pausing and thinking things through, contemplating that impossible balancing act between an individual’s right to make unfortunate choices and my responsibility to the Greater Good, whatever that happens to be (if anything).
The truth is that sometimes it is not our business, even if the decision of another distresses us.
And sometimes it is our business — even our responsibility. The trick is discerning the difference, and then acting with integrity.
May I just observe that sometimes Life with Dogs is so much simpler than Life with Humans?