Everybody wants a deal. Everyone is looking for the a bargain. So much time and energy is spent looking for discount deals, half price deals, going out of business deals, online deals, computer deals and yard sale deals. People want to get the most for their money so much so that they often spend it on things they don't really want because it was a good deal. It is the human condition to look for the easy way. People want to get a bargain or something that is worth more then it costs. It is a belief structure that creates a living pattern where the focus is on easy acquisition. If finding a bargain and taking the easy path become primary motivators, many of the important aspects of living begin to suffer. Who we are is formed by environment, values, role models and how we react to events. There are no special deals on developing character. There are no quick paths to growing a quality inner life. Short cuts are only diversions.
Some folks will spend a great deal of resources looking for the easy way to get something done. In a large view of the world this can be illustrated in the action of getting leaves off the sidewalk. Sweeping leaves into a pile demands physical effort and a broom. In an effort to make it effortless, someone invented the leaf blower. Now the task is easy, just blow the leaves where you want them while strolling along. However the leaf blower is a more complicated piece of equipment then a stick with a straw end. It required research, components, manufacturing, and the use of fossil fuels. Those resources, oil and gas, require extraction, transporting, refining, shipping to a distribution location, acquisition by the end user who has to expend some resources picking up the gas can and bringing it home. Many people had to assist to blow those leaves away. Not to mention, the homeowner doesn't get any real exercise sweeping up leaves so he has to run off to the gym to stay in shape. What a deal.
In personal growth the same concepts apply. Often in an attempt to avoid pain or hard inner work, people will spend time and energy taking the easy path, not realizing the full cost of their decisions. Most people know of a boss that demands respect but is not willing to make the effort to respect others. Who hasn't heard the stories about people that will do nearly anything for love except love themselves? How many people turn to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain of their life only to realize years later it would have been much easier to just face the initial pain head on? There are no good deals on character without honestly dealing with character.
Developing a good character can be hard work, but like most things, increased attention leads to increased accomplishment. If the goal is to be in integrity, then being honest has to happen all the time, not just when it is easy. Character, like everything important, requires awareness and perseverance.
There are great deals to be had in the world. But if you want to create a reflection in the mirror you can be proud of, doing the hard work is in fact the best deal and the shortest path.
Some folks will spend a great deal of resources looking for the easy way to get something done. In a large view of the world this can be illustrated in the action of getting leaves off the sidewalk. Sweeping leaves into a pile demands physical effort and a broom. In an effort to make it effortless, someone invented the leaf blower. Now the task is easy, just blow the leaves where you want them while strolling along. However the leaf blower is a more complicated piece of equipment then a stick with a straw end. It required research, components, manufacturing, and the use of fossil fuels. Those resources, oil and gas, require extraction, transporting, refining, shipping to a distribution location, acquisition by the end user who has to expend some resources picking up the gas can and bringing it home. Many people had to assist to blow those leaves away. Not to mention, the homeowner doesn't get any real exercise sweeping up leaves so he has to run off to the gym to stay in shape. What a deal.
In personal growth the same concepts apply. Often in an attempt to avoid pain or hard inner work, people will spend time and energy taking the easy path, not realizing the full cost of their decisions. Most people know of a boss that demands respect but is not willing to make the effort to respect others. Who hasn't heard the stories about people that will do nearly anything for love except love themselves? How many people turn to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain of their life only to realize years later it would have been much easier to just face the initial pain head on? There are no good deals on character without honestly dealing with character.
Developing a good character can be hard work, but like most things, increased attention leads to increased accomplishment. If the goal is to be in integrity, then being honest has to happen all the time, not just when it is easy. Character, like everything important, requires awareness and perseverance.
There are great deals to be had in the world. But if you want to create a reflection in the mirror you can be proud of, doing the hard work is in fact the best deal and the shortest path.
About the Author:
Connor Sullivan often searches the internet to find discount deals on everything from appliances and electronics to clothing and food. His wife loves to search the internet to find online deals on many items such as clothing. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.
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