The Eighth Way

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Failure

One of the greatest challenges in life is changing habits. We are, after all, creatures of habit. So, a present example. I have intended to post an article three times a week. But, today is August the 1st. The last article is dated July the 20th. Even for the non-math(s) majors out there, it will be clear that I have not met my intended goal. There are many reasons for this. However, the primary reason, the real reason, is that new habits are hard to build. This is why a person will go to confession over and over again without experiencing much change in his behavior. He will come in to confess the same sins, growing in frustration, and eventually falling into despair. This is because we want a shortcut to habits. When I go to confession I want to come out a new man with new habits of virtue rather than the old habits of vice. Alas, grace doesn't destroy nature. Rather, grace aids and perfects nature. So, just like riding a bike or remaining faithful to a productivity method, those natural virtues have to be regularly exercised to develop new habits. This process will start to break up the old habits that we no longer want in our lives so that we can build the new ones that we do want. Becoming “the new me” takes time, a lot of time. So, with that being said, I'm sorry for not posting more regularly since I've restarted the site. I'm working on rebuilding that habit. But, hopefully my lapse into vice will serve to help you grow in virtue.