Clay Sheriff's Race: Bitterness Corrodes; Righteousness Strengthens and Sustains

Bitterness, hatred and the desire for revenge slowly but completely corrode from within the vessel which carries them.  They are the fuel of an agonizing process of self destruction, and a certain recipe for discontent.

Righteousness heals, strengthens and sustains.  Do not go forward blindy, oblivious to reality or in a pollyanna fashion, but cherish and nourish those things that are good within themselves: Among them are truth, honesty, self respect and compassion. 

Character is who you are when no one is watching.  It is normal, and even acceptable, to occasionally make mistakes and to unintentionally stray from righteousness.  Even the most competent of captains regularly correct their ways when their ships head off course.

It is in attempting to navigate the indiscretions of others that people most often commit their own.  We sometimes fight any way we can to keep from being taken advantage of, and we sometimes equate goodness with weakness when it comes to dealing with "the real world" as it appears.  However, it is possible to be righteous in our thoughts and ways while remaining effective in our efforts, be they truly noble.

Norman Vincent Peale once referred to a man who had become very nervous, tired, unhappy and in ill health as the man focused all of his mental energy on something that he thought was important.  The man had become obsessed in his thoughts and ways, and it was making him physically ill.  His life was miserable.  Dr. Peale suggested that the man examine and refocus his thoughts, and thus his ways, thereby eliminating the constant anxiety that had become his life.  "But what if I miss it?" said the man nervously, to which Dr. Peale replied by indicating: "Perhaps you should miss it.  The graveyards are filled with people who thought they couldn't."

What is driving you... and where is it driving you?