Gabe

Today's thought is:
I have learned this: it is not what one does that is wrong, but what one becomes as a consequence of it.
--Oscar Wilde

There are countless ways to take shortcuts in life or to grab for pleasures.
We could cheat on our income taxes, excuse a food binge, or
lie to a loved one about where we've been.
We say, "It won't hurt anyone!"
"I wouldn't do it if it weren't for the other guy."
Or, "Everyone does it."
But if we are to like and respect ourselves, we need to live by the rules we believe in.
Whether we get caught or not isn't the point.
We cannot hold values and then repeatedly justify breaking them.
What does it do to us if we constantly fudge on our values?
It undermines our self-esteem and damages the faith we have in ourselves.
We do not expect to be perfect, but we must be accountable.
If we are honest with ourselves, we admit our wrongs and reestablish our
self-respect.
Today, I will take care to make choices that match my values.

You are reading from the book:
Touchstones by Anonymous
Copyright 1986, 1991 by Hazelden Foundation.
(Another gem I got from Gooch that I just shared with you.)

Hopefloats

What a fantastic thread Gabe. I happen to believe that doing the right thing is "Doing it when no-one is watching"

Sadly when people think no-one is watching there can be a vast difference in what people actually "present" themselves to be, and what they really are.

Right now, I am going to go back and read this again. I find this very powerful and very thought provoking..
Thank you and thanks to that Gooch
Hopefloats

equus

Gabe - hehehe, that's what I think of as self respect. To give my beliefs enough reapect that I live by them (or at least try!!!).
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ect-76345.html