A Prescription for Right Living

I am occasionally presented the opportunity to counsel people who have come to me with various moral difficulties. Given that each of us has “various moral difficulties,” that is to say, “Nobody’s perfect,” I share with the patient reader a modified version of the plan that I shared with one individual. I proposed it in the form of a “prescription.”

· Remember the consequences of what you have done (spiritual, interpersonal, financial, etc.) whenever you think about doing it again.

· Find good friends—people who do what you do and don’t do what you don’t do (in terms of moral choices)—and be a regular part of their company. Avoid old friends who have been a bad influence on your life. If you become friendly with them again, it must be on the basis that both of you are no longer involved with bad things anymore and have begun to make better life decisions. Don’t try to change another person.

· Treat others with the respect you would want to receive from them, even if they do not do so for you; but do not permit people to abuse you or others because it seems unkind to prevent it.

· Go to Mass when required, and even when not required. Go to Confession regularly.

· Throughout the course of the day, offer your life to God, asking for His help to do what He wants you to do. Prayer is more than reciting memorized words; it is communicating with a Friend who is thrilled to hear from you.

· Remember God’s Presence at times when you feel like returning to things you know it is not good for you to do. Call upon God often enough that it becomes easier to recognize temptation for what it is.

· Repair the mistakes of your past as best as you can. When you make new mistakes, repair them as best as you can, and as soon as you can.

· Constantly be on the lookout for ways to help others. Concentrate on specific matters in which you have worthwhile experience (whether the outcome for you was successful or not).

· Communicate regularly and honestly with people you trust, even (and especially) when they will be thoroughly honest with you. Share successes as well as failures.

Repeat as needed each day for the rest of your life.

As a “physician of souls,” it is good for me to take my own medicine if my practice is to be reputable. For God’s sake, for your sake and mine, I pray and work to this end.