Doin' the Right Thing Even When It's Hard

I have to admit something. *Takes a deep breath* Sometimes, I steal my brother's toys and rip them to pieces out of pure spite he likes something more than me.

*PHEW*I feel so much better getting that off my doggy chest.

On occasion, mom or dad catch me doing this and yell to "drop it" or "bring it here." Do you know how hard it is to control my impulses and bring them the toy? SUPER HARD. But, I do it. Because it's the right thing to do.

In human society there seems to be a collective sentiment "do what makes you happy." I feel like that's pretty destructive. If I were to "do what makes me happy" I would be a complete monster of a dog and no one would want to be around me. I would chew every toy, relentlessly try to get my brother to play with me even when he doesn't want to, eat all the food in the cabinets and refrigerator, chew everything outside, and not come inside when I'm called. Those things initially sound fun, but everyone else around me would be miserable, I would lose relationships, and end up very alone and unhappy.

I imagine self control for humans is even harder considering you can do a lot more independently than I can!! There are so many temptations at your fingertips which make you happy for a few minutes but potentially destroy your relationships long term. I wish I could place billboards all over the earth begging humans to "do what's right, even if it's hard, and even if it doesn't make you happy." Society can't progress on a superficial drive for "happiness." In my opinion, society progresses with hard work, self-control, creativity, and an understanding that your actions affect the world around you.

Today I'm going to TRY to have self-control and not rip my brother's toys because it makes my family upset.

In what ways have you been chasing superficial & temporary happiness? Is there any part of your life you need to turn from & do what's right even if it's hard?