Acting out

It is almost axiomatic that our thoughts are private property. It is not as obvious, though it is easily shown, that they no longer belong to us exclusively the moment they are translated into actions or are shared with others. We may be held responsible for them but they are no longer ours exclusively. Our thoughts are self-contained within our minds, out of the range of human sensors but our actions are influenced by the nature of the relationships we have with our surroundings. Everything we do occurs within the context of those relationships. It is important to recognize that our actions are performed on behalf of one or more of these relationships.