We human beings are such fickle creatures. We try so hard to hold on to our firm, full-strength beliefs…but we end up diluting them before long.
Every morning we pull out our big, pulpy bottle of principles and set it on the kitchen bench while we get ready for work. We fix our eyes on the mixture – so rich and frothy; full of intent and passionate conviction. Our standards and ideals swirl round and round in perfect harmony. We are so sure about everything; so doggedly determine to follow through on every last promise. To watch every one of our “I will” statements come to pass with such ease. We could not possibly be persuaded to be anyone other than who we have faithfully set out to be.
But before we even get out the door we have started the dilution process. “I am determined to go for a run this morning” slowly turns into “I might go for one this afternoon.” “I’m not going to yell at my kids today” becomes “But they’re just so annoying, why can’t they listen!”
We’ve just poured a whole glass of water into our bottle of values.
We get to work. “I’m going to try and be nice to this person today.” That is, unless they screw up this presentation for me.
We have lunch. “I am not going to eat three meals in one today!” …well I didn’t have any breakfast; I should probably make up for that.