Doing what is right can make you and mobilize efforts to break you. Often, we are flooded with instructions at home, school, Church, mosque, work, or social media on how our behaviours ought to be. These sermons come clothed in vehemence. But they lose this fervor, most times, in practice. Gap between verbalization and execution persists, appearing intractable. If this has ever puzzled you, know you're not alone. Why so this trend?

My observations answer preaching what is right is popular whereas doing what is right tends to be unpopular. The former involves written or spoken words which specify a status-quo. Intensity of compliance here isn't as acute as the latter which compels people and circumstances to conform to status--quo. Consequent discipline triggers resistance from many people, vilifying enforcers and adherents. This can discourage faithfuls, having them succumb to pressure and carpet-cross to antagonists' side. It is the easy way out of isolation by others. But is it the best move?

A positive answer could argue persevering in the face of antagonism is futile. The discomfort is needless. Why endure when others evade standards and enjoy? Life is short. Our natural inclination to pleasure and disinclination to pain support. This position is contradictory. Those here toy with pillars preserving their edifice, and expect to benefit and remain safe within lastingly. This viewpoint is delusional and unsustainable, reflecting absence of solid personality pillars and readiness to be tossed about by any blowing wind.

Alternatively, a negative answer points us to those, usually few, who stand unwaveringly. They say and do what is right, trying to uphold propriety. Their strictness is interpreted as wickedness. I reason what makes them formidable is congruence of their personal values with foundational values of their organization. It personalizes persistence before sabotage, hate or injustice. Borrow a leaf! Doing right amidst reward of wrong sometimes is a bitter pill that you, committed to rightness, must learn to swallow.


©Kelechi O. Naze (KON)