I know that a lot of people bang on about their principles. Often those that do like to carp on about how above reproach they are, how untouchable those principles are and how their word is cast in stone.
These people are often found out when life throws them a curve ball and they suddenly find that their principles were not as precious as they thought they were and they make themselves a hypocrit.
Now being a hypocritical is part of life, it is sometimes unavoidable despite our best and most noble efforts.
A while ago I decided to adopt a three tier system of principals to help preserve my mental health and what little self esteem I had at the time (you’ll be glad to know I have more of that these days).
The system goes something like this:
Tier 3 – things I’d rather not do but at a push will do.
Tier 2 – things I’d really rather not do but, if no other option is open to me, then I will do.
Tier 1 – the things that I will never, ever do. Very few things are in Tier 1 but here are some of them: I will NEVER break the promises and vows I made to my wife, I will always do what is right for my children, I will NEVER let any harm come to them as a direct result of any action or inaction on my part.
You get the idea.
The way I look at it. If I have to compromise on Tier 3 then it’s a bit of a bummer. If I have to compromise on Tier 2 then things are bad. But Tier 1 will never be compromised on and because of that I can sleep at night and look myself in the mirror without any feeling of regret.
I’m not perfect, and I’m not trying to make out that I am, but this system works for me.
\m/