Principles

“It is easier to fight for principles than to live up to them”  ~ Adlai Stevenson

Ever notice how anyone in the spotlight seems to fail miserably at what they are trying to live up to?     Just off the top of my head I’m thinking in the last 10 years or so several top “anti-gay” congressmen have been outted for being gay.   The head of the tax committee was himself committing tax fraud.   And, currently in the news our Attorney General, they guy who is supposed to be the top guy upholding the laws of the land is being accused of shattering the 1^st amendment.

Now, I’m not trying to get political here.   This is why I choose a couple of issues that are on both sides of the aisle so to speak.

What I am saying is that if you have a set of principles it is pretty hard to live up to them sometimes.    It is hard to do the right thing over and over again.   The “correct” road to be on is often the harder one to be on.

·         Yeah we shouldn’t smoke.   But quitting is hard!

·         I know we shouldn’t eat McDonalds, but it is so easy to pick up.  I can’t cook when I have my child running around turning her strawberry shortcakes into Sinead O’Conner!    (just look it up young people)

True Story –

·         We should spend time with our families,    but do you know my family????

Lot’s of things we should do.  We know we should do them.   We really do know we should do them.    But it is tough.  

The more you live by your principles the easier it is to think about them.   The more you think about your principles the easier it is to live them.    Focus your thoughts on the positive, what you know you should do.    Make a list and review it daily.   Put that stuff in front of you.   Give yourself an incentive for success.    List out the reasons you are doing this tough thing that you are doing.   Is it for health?   For family?   For personal gain?    Focus your life on the important things that really matter.   Then live every part of your life to make it happen.