My hypocricy knows no bounds
We talked briefly at work about hypocrisy, and I got thinking. I am a hypocrite. I don’t want to be, I don’t like being a hypocrite but I am. I’ve been thinking, trying to figure out maybe why I am.
Some things in my life flip-flop in importance. Speeding for example. I’ve never been a speed demon, but at times I think “a few over” is a marginal, dismissible problem. Other times I judiciously monitor the position of that needle. (funny how just because today I drive the speed limit, I become that much more judgemental of the people who don’t)
Other things as well. What I consider acceptable language, acceptable media, fair treatment and social etiquette depend on the day more than on abiding principles.
The image that comes to mind is a little … cartoony. We’ve all seen the little devil and angel sitting on opposite shoulders. Silly, but I think that is an accurate depiction of how we can feel. We all have demons in the closet, and we all have guardian angels. I think its ok for us to be a little hypocritical, because we are dynamic beings.
Sometimes we listen to the angels trying to keep us from harm and heartache, sometimes we can’t ignore the demons scratching at our door. Sometimes we are more sensitive to a different stimulus than other times. Sometimes we are more accepting of others or more aware of their standards.
What i think might be the takeaway thought is that first, we should allow people to explore their hypocrisy. Rarely will it be pleasant, but give others the freedom to determine where their values lie.
The other point I’ve thought of is the difference between exploratory hypocrisy and habitual hypocrisy–that deep, continual inability to ‘practice what you preach.’ The scary thing is I don’t know that most days you can see your own habitual hypocrisies. So, almost contradictorily you need to allow and welcome others to show you your own failings.