SLOTH

Sloth like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while the used key is always bright. Benjamin Franklin

The most dangerous characteristic of Sloth is lack of awareness. I don't want to know how deeply and widely humanity suffers. I don't want to know about corruption in government or commerce. Difficult and illusive, Sloth can hide behind industriousness and self-righteousness. Sloth is believing what I want to believe in spite of the facts.

Ignorance, indifference, avoidance, apathy, refusing to grow or change or sacrifice characterize Sloth. So do the more familiar attributes of laziness, excuse-making, procrastination, and indifference to ultimate meaning. Neglect of myself - my teeth, my body, my finances, my possessions - affects my community directly or indirectly.

Like facing other sins, changing small behaviors can turn this giant slug around. Finishing little things, doing incrementally better at a specific task, can begin a change of heart. Diligence can feel good. Above all, awareness of people's needs and then serving them is medicine for sloth. And of the inner life? Thomas Aquinas said, "the more we think about spiritual goods the more delightful they become to us, and spiritual apathy goes away."

Help me to love You with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, and help me to love my neighbor as myself. And help me to love myself.