Bigger Than The Rules
“Don’t you know who I am?” Thinks everyone.
I’ll be honest. There are times when I think I am bigger than the rules. It can happen in all sorts of ways, but generally, it is when following (what I have deemed is) an insignificant rule takes more effort than not. I am not talking about capital S sins, more like moral misdemeanors. Parking in a fire lane while picking up a pizza or occasionally bringing my own Jujyfruits to a movie.
I am not particularly proud of this…nor am I alone in it. Most of us like to believe that rules are made for other people. Sure, there is the possibility of larger, more global consequences to choices like these, but we rationalize. What can it hurt? Just this once?
As if our own convenience was not reason enough to disregard the rules. Popular culture has created monuments to the idea through its icons. From Fonzie and his vending machines to James Bond and his…well, everything. We are bombarded with the idea that we can out smart, out cool, or even buy our way out of life’s inconvenient constraints. Me first for the win.
But what if we flipped the script on these inconveniences? What if we stopped thinking of them as constraints and instead thought of them as the honing stones of our character? In his book, The Road to Character, David Brooks writes “…character is not innate or automatic. You have to build it with effort and artistry.” Living successfully within the boundaries of our society requires us to develop discipline, to be planful, and to consider the effect of our actions on our fellows.
It is one thing to behave well when required and, more importantly, observed. It is entirely another to behave well when it seems there is no one to please but ourselves. It is during these moments that we are called to relinquish our What Would Tony Stark Do bracelets and practice being good…for goodness’ sake.
(If you want more than 332 words on the topic of character building, I strongly recommend Mr. Brooks’.)
