Think for a moment before squelching that good urge to do what is right, and ask yourself, “How will this look in fifty years?” You can be sure the ridicule will have stopped and been long forgotten, but the good will have lived on. By putting things in long-term perspective, one can grow positively towards self-perfection without being deterred by the negative comments, looks, and laughs of one’s contemporaries. Your good deeds will last long after they are gone. Isn’t it worth choosing the permanent over the temporary? Invest in the spiritual long-term, and your stock will only rise as time goes on.

CONSIDER THIS FOR A MINUTE

One who becomes close to a wicked person learns his wicked ways. (Ben-Sira)