Man of principles

Sometimes I think about my behavior and wonder just how much a people-pleaser I really am.

But upon further introspection, I think these behaviors actually go far to show that I am a man of decency, a man of principles.

Let me give you an example:

There are two bus stops that are close to where I live.  One is basically right outside of my neighborhood, the other at the major intersection about 200-300 meters further out.

Now, because the bus stop that is farther away is at a major intersection, usually you’d get people wanting to get off there.  And my principle in this situation is this: if I were the bus driver, I think I would be quite annoyed if I had to stop at the first bus stop (the major intersection), start moving again, and have to stop again in just about 10 seconds later.

And so, in keeping with the whole Jesus thing (do unto others as they unto you etc.), I just get off at the first stop 90% of the time.

If it’s raining really hard or snowing or something like that then I’d just bug the driver that little bit more and get off at my actual stop.

Another example:

I’ve always believed that only really really fat people or really really lazy people (most of the time the same people) would use the elevator to get up to the second floor.

Take the stairs for crying out loud!

And so, because my workplace is on the second floor, and because I don’t want to have to refer to myself as really fat and really lazy, I have always been taking the stairs.

Third example:

If you know me you’d know about me and umbrellas.  I just don’t touch them.  I have one in the trunk of my car just in case my grandma is with me and it’s pouring. But I would rather get sick or drown or die than to have to use an umbrella.

Just imagine if the Nazi’s came into your house and demanded that you either killed your neighbor or they’d kill you……imagine how much more likely you would give into their demands if you weren’t even able to simply stick to a simple principle: don’t ever use umbrellas!  Just imagine.

And so, yeah, I think you could look at these examples and conclude that I am really just a people-pleaser, always caring about what others would think of me.

Or you could be real biblical and think about manhood and think about how much of a good man I am.