If you allowed yourself a vice (or, really, have one currently) what would it be? If I had a different moral code, I'm pretty sure I know what mine would be (which we won't be discussing), but it might be drinking, as well. I can see me having a love of fruity drinks with a little kick (since I already love the non-kick kind!), but never having touched the stuff, I don't really know.
I think vices are funny things. Nearly every culture or religious sect has there own interpretation of what is a vice and what is merely a sin. Some overlap. Some are defined as the direct opposite of that cultures stated virtues. However, The Seven Deadly Sins are perhaps the most well known.
1. Pride or vanity
2. Avarice (greed)
3. Lust
4. Wrath or anger
5. Gluttony
6. Envy or jealousy
7. Sloth or laziness
Our culture, of course, has usurped the meaning of vice to include anything outside one's moral code or anything bad habit-ish (see mention of fruity drinks, above). I'm wondering, though, if anything outside of one's moral code can actually fit into the list of seven? So far I unable to think of anything that won't. In thinking through the vices, I've been exploring my own short comings. Not my funny little vices that we joke about (windex wipes), but the big ones. Pride? Oh, yeah. It's here. Laziness? Check. Envy? Uh, yes please. And often. I apparently have enough to spare.
I see my short comings, my vices, my sins and wonder why... I feel I'm such a rotten person 75% of the time that is only half-heartedly trying to get better. I know that's most likely not the reality since I'm often the most harsh on myself, but I can't help but wonder. Why am I so blessed, so very blessed, while others better, kinder and just the best of the good people struggle? I know the answer, I really do. But I also wonder why I cling so to my particular set of vices. Am I afraid of shedding the ties of envy and laziness and stepping out of my comfort? Oh, gosh. Yes. Terrified that I won't find more blessings there, but instead hardship I'm ill prepared for.
My musical vice:
(better than ezra, beautiful mistake)
3 clever comments:
I found your last line to be so profound. I think that's exactly it. For me. Or maybe I'm just too lazy to make the effort to shed my vices.
Mine is greed...gimme gimme. Wants and needs get mixed up.
I totally thought about the why are we so blessed/lucky while in the Bahamas. Why were we born in the US with such abundance while others struggle with poverty. And why are they so content while we search for more and more...and then I went shopping. Got to stimulate the Bahamian economy.
Oh, Diane. How I miss you!
Post a Comment