What Makes People Do... anything

I have recently been trying to reflect on myself, on my surroundings, on the people I know. I wonder why I do what I do and I wonder what makes people do the things they do. I mean, what motivates someone like Nelson Mandela to give up his freedom for nearly 30 years because he believes in something greater than himself. And then I think what makes someone like Adolf Hitler murder six million people and then I wonder about the people who didn't participate in his plan but just sat back and watched. Every now and then we all read or hear about a story in which some average Joe becomes a Hero and saves someone from a flooding river, or rescues a baby from a well or pulls someone from a burning car. I'd like to think I could do that, I dont know, I have never cast myself as the hero in any of my little dramas. I wonder why people do the things they do. What motivates one person to do and be good and another to wreak havoc and spread evil anywhere they can? What makes men lie and women cheat? What makes some people strive to earn millions and others to live off of handouts? Is there a crossroads in everyone's life where they decide to be good or bad, when they choose to do right or wrong? When they decide to be a part of the problem or part of the solution? Or is it a daily dose or right and wrong, daily choices to give or take, to help or to hinder? Some days I choose the right and sometimes I am bogged down into the badlands. I think I need to become more observant in my life and the things I do and the choices I make. This is a difficult task because everyday I am presented a new opportunity to do "the right thing" or just be a total turd. I probably will never be anyone's hero but my own. That is a nice thought. Rescue myself. Like it, think I will try it. Note to Self: Pull yourself out of your own flooded river, drag your ass out of your own burning car and stay the hell away from wells... you are on town water anyway.