"I know that mankind obtains some kind of satisfaction believing that where character traits are concerned, we are as constant as cake on one's birthday. Unfortunately, this is not the case. As a species, we are most certainly wild and wonderful, weird and often inexplicable to fathom. We are born in sin according to the bible and we go through a large part of our life in sin.
It is as though in our composition, God created us as an amalgam of opposing forces which are constantly in battle with each other. We each face daily dilemmas which pitch 'good intentions' against 'bad practice' in the workplace, along with assertions of 'I will most certainly do' to 'if time allows me to' in the home. On balance, we emerge as the good people that we are meant to be, but occasionally, during moments of weakness, we fall far short of the target of decency, honesty and fairness most of us aspire to.
When we examine our lives, in particular, we all become quickly aware of a less palatable side of our usual good character we maintain most days of the week. Whom among us, for instance, gets no satisfaction whatsoever from seeing a bully get his comeuppance or can refrain from laughing when some cocky show-off falls flat on their bottom in public view. Even accurately assessing some people of being capable of doing bad things to others cannot prevent that smug and complacent, 'I told you so!' from being voiced as you wait for it to happen instead of trying to prevent it.
Life is much more than 'proving a point' or displaying oneself in the most favourable of light in another's estimation. If we are to survive in a 'dog eat dog' world, we would do well to recognise both wild and wonderful characteristics and traits in ourselves as well as never denying that urge to sometimes play the part of the Devil in our daily dealings with others.
It is incumbent upon each of us to never over-stroke our own egos, and to see both the good and the bad; the godliness and the devil in ourselves and others.There is no incongruity in seeing a fox chase chickens or resting among beautiful flowers. One is their wild aspect; the other side, their wonderful nature!" William Forde: March 12th, 2017.