Integrity check: a battle of the scruples

An odd thing happened when I originally wrote this post: it disappeared. I save my work as I go, but on that particular morning I couldn’t recall my actions. And when I reopened the document a few minutes later, the entire post—along with another piece of writing—vanished. Autosave didn’t seem to be on its game, either. I wondered if my post went missing because it isn’t the kind of story a person wants to admit “out loud.” Curious? It all began upon returning home from the post office with three books of stamps. The conflict? I only purchased two. Honest truth? My initial reaction went something like this: #blessed… immediately followed on its heels by: You know you need to return it. I did, of course. But not before the archetypal angel and devil suspended over opposite shoulders argued their points. The postal clerk thanked me for my kindness. Yet I simply did the right thing.

When did you last encounter a battle of the scruples?

Image source: familyshare.com.

It’s never too late to dream a new dream, to start something new

I’m a firm believer in C.S. Lewis’ adage that it’s never too late to dream a new dream, to start something new. When I began Always The Write Time, it was toward the culmination of my undergraduate studies as a non-traditional student. Once I hit the half-century mark last December, the words ‘always the write time’ rang truer than ever. As 2016 draws to a close, I’m thrilled about my plan for 2017: to start something new because I dreamed a new (and bigger) dream. This includes 1) attending more writing workshops, 2) joining one or more writing associations and 3) completing my MFA application which, if (and when) I’m accepted into the program, will mark the commencement of my graduate studies in creative writing. And just when doubt might begin to creep in, the timeliest issue of Poets & Writers lands in my mailbox—reminding me, yet again, there’s hope on this side of 50.

What is your dream, but you think it’s too late to start?

Understanding the root of pride

Pride is concerned with who is right.
Humility is concerned with what is right.
~ Ezra T. Benson

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis writes, “For pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense.” In my own quest for happiness, I discovered that self—once removed from the equation—makes room for joy. Both of today’s quotes, I think, revolve around self as the root of pride. Recently, I felt disconnected to a close friend and tried to share my feelings. Rather than attempt to understand my heart, however, this person blew off our relationship. My friend’s actions played out louder than words but, although the outcome saddens me, I believe that humbling myself will destroy any self-imposed stumbling blocks and release a bounty of blessings going forward. Doing the right thing is not always the easy thing, but the possibility of love, contentment and common sense is worth it.

What do you believe is the root of pride?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.