Hard Right or Easy Wrong?
We are constantly faced with choices, and often we are tempted to follow the way of least resistance. In our dealings with others and ourselves it is usually easier to say yes than no, but yes is not always the best answer. If we are too permissive, we become lax and ineffective.
The problem with taking the easy way is that it usually ends up being harder in the long run. If we do not control our eating, we will have all of the problems of obesity. If we do not limit our spending, we will eventually lack funds for what we need. If we do not follow moral and ethical principles, our lives become chaotic and we live in constant fear and tension.
Although choosing the hard right is difficult, it is by exercising our ethical muscles that we become strong and gain self-respect.
By Your grace, may I make the right choices.
From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L. ©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation.
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Sometimes it feels easier to take the easy way out, to say Yes, and to forget about abstinence entirely. It's easy to say OK, "just this once," promising to get back to business "tomorrow." Trouble with tomorrow, is that it may never come.
I promised myself I'd start behaving myself "Monday" countless times over the years. Monday turned into Tuesday which turned into next month & next year. All the Mondays that came & went, because I deceived myself by saying 'tomorrow.'
The program taught me that all I have is Today, NOW, this minute. Yesterday is gone & tomorrow isn't here yet. I can choose to be abstinent & sober today, without worrying about any other moment in time. If I choose the easy way, I will pay for it in the end. I will run the risk of not being able to get back to my food plan, and finding myself back to obesity once again.
What I tell my kids is to always use character & integrity; to be able to look at themselves in the mirror every morning, with self-respect, knowing they've done right by others, God & themselves.
What I tell my kids is to always use character & integrity; to be able to look at themselves in the mirror every morning, with self-respect, knowing they've done right by others, God & themselves.
Yet, do I use double standards with regard to myself? Thinking it's ok to ditch MY moral & ethical principles, just this once?
"Just this once" leads to encore performances.
Just this once, for the next 24 hours, I will remain abstinent & sober. I will exercise my ethical muscles to gain strength & self-respect.
For today, I will take the Hard Right road & empower myself, instead of the Easy Wrong road, which leads to self-loathing & recrimination.
For today, I will take the Hard Right road & empower myself, instead of the Easy Wrong road, which leads to self-loathing & recrimination.
Dear God,I pray to be relieved of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.
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