The Collected Writings of Sardonicus

How does one deal with temptation? True temptation. Not the kind any idiot falls prey to, but the kind of which is so close to being everything you want in life... but is not. So close... but you know the happiness you feel will not be true. Will not be pure. It is one thing to be lied to - it is another to lie to oneself. Unacceptable.

It's easy to say "no" to something when it's impossible to get. It's easy to say "no" to something when it's only offered to someone else.

How does one summon the courage to say "no" to an illusion that is so close to reality? Is it true that you are only young once? Is that a good enough excuse to allow oneself succumb to temptation?

No. I suppose it's not. But I wish it was. I wish my conscience would allow it more often... Actually, that's a lie.

And what if the opposite is true? What cost is acceptable to get what you do want? Would you sacrifice your principles and self-respect? But by doing so, you would feel that you no longer deserve what it is that you want? An ethical Catch-22.

It's possible I'm thinking to much, expecting to much from myself. Perhaps I need no excuse... no reason to want what I want. Perhaps the feeling is true and pure enough alone. How is that for lying to onself? Pretty good, huh?