... but working on them.
I'm talking about the Seven Deadly Sins. I was telling John about how envious I am of people that I know who have gotten their two shots of the covid vaccine, and this turned into a conversation about the seven deadly sins. I couldn't name them before I looked them up, but I was a bit surprised to realize that I routinely express at least four of them.
Envy - is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation. Yup, I've got that. I don't begrudge other people getting the vaccine, nor do I think I should go to the head of the line. I just have a pretty strong desire to be in their situation.
Gluttony - an inordinate desire to consume more than that you require. Sometimes I can be a glutton. It usually has to do with potato chips, cake, or homemade macaroni and cheese. I try to avoid potato chips and and cake, but if the macaroni and cheese is baked and has a delectable crumb layer on top, my gluttony becomes evident.
Lust - craving for the pleasures of the body. Nope, I'm good here.
Anger or Wrath - when you spurn love and instead choose fury. Yeah, I think I choose anger too often. It's rarely loud screaming or yelling, but I can simmer quietly for a long time if I perceive an injustice.
Greed - the desire for material wealth or gain. I don't think I suffer from greed (except maybe where yarn is concerned, and the pandemic is helping me to remedy that).
Sloth - the avoidance of work. This is another yes. I can do some work quite happily, but when it comes to dusting, mopping, or shoveling, I am quite the sloth.
Pride - is an excessive belief in one's own abilities. No, if anything I think I tend to doubt my own abilities.
I didn't realize that there are also seven virtues, which are the opposites of their corresponding sins. I was pleased to find out that in addition to my sinful side, I also practice some measure of gratitude, temperance, chastity, patience, charity, diligence, and humility.
So I'll focus on less envy and more patience for now. What is your sin of choice?
Fun Post! I'm definitely a Sloth (and the sloth is one of my favorite animals). Looking in the mirror Gluttony is another issue! On the positive/virtue side, I do practice Gratitude, have some Diligence and Humility. I'd like to think I have Patience, but I know that most of the time I do not.
ReplyDeleteI totally get you on the vaccine-envy thing. (I've been surprised at the envy I feel as people I know - just ever-so-slightly older than me - are getting the vaccine. I know my turn will come. But, still. There you have it.) When choosing my "sin of choice," though . . . it wouldn't be envy. It would definitely be sloth! :-)
ReplyDeleteIf by sloth you mean the desire to sit on the couch all day and read . . . count me in! I think you should write a corresponding post about the 7 virtues. :-)
ReplyDeleteI would say envy, but I don't see a lot of people in a better situation than I am in these days. It's really bad for everyone except the select few in our present circumstances. I am envious of anyone that has had their 2 shots of vaccine and has warmer weather than I do! I think I would have to admit that I am periodically guilty of all of them other than lust. I'm too old for lust. I think a post on the seven virtues would be great. I hope you have a good Monday, Bonny.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the Vaccination Envy Bandwagon... oh boy. Yeah. (and yeah... sloth... sigh)
ReplyDeletethey beat all of those sins into me when I went through Catholic schools :) I pray you get the shot sooner than later, waiting patiently is not one of my virtues.
ReplyDeleteEnvy and Sloth for me (though my daughter is really the resident sloth of the house -- she loves the animals and is ready to embrace her inner sloth at any time). I think anyone gets a pass on envy when it comes to getting vaccinated. I think we all want to be protected and safe, and I don't think it's that we begrudge anyone for getting their shot, it's just that we want ours, too! I know I'm going to be waiting a long time for mine, which I'm okay with, but I was getting a bit annoyed when I saw so many people getting theirs and my parents couldn't. (But as of this weekend, both my parents have now gotten their first shots, so I'm feeling a little better!)
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. I think that anger is my problem sin - like you, it's a slow simmer and must of the time anger at myself for perceived past mistakes. Seems like it is always most difficult to forgive our own humanity. I got my second Covid shot Friday because I am a teacher, but hubby, who is four years older than me, is still waiting. Maybe in March we have been told here in Utah. I worry about him. No, I did not realize there are also seven virtues, but I am at least making progress on all of those. Very interesting post. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteMy sister expressed that same envy over the weekend... it's so hard to be patient!
ReplyDeleteOh, I can do a pretty good gluttonous sloth imitation. :)
I do have envy I am sad to say, mostly about people not having to work, I think I am just tired from too much working. A bit of gluttony, mostly about yarn but lately about t-shirts to cover my expanding behind in leggings. I so wish I had more patience, that is what I need to work on.
ReplyDeleteSloth for the win! I think I perfected that this past Sunday. :-) And yes, I have vaccine envy for sure but mostly just so I can travel to CO. And so that you can too.
ReplyDeleteANGER for me! and I've even been thinking about it in a more favorable light after reading Audre Lorde's essay on the Uses of Anger: Women Responding to Racism. ... honestly, I think all seven of these "sins" are likely just a sign of a normal human behavior (perhaps tinged with a bit of white patriarchy? ... I told you mine was Anger ;-) We are STILL waiting to get my 82-year old mother vaccinated. Angry just a bit?!
ReplyDeleteI would say quiet wrath is my worst sin. The envy over Covid vaccination seems normal to me. I'm with Sarah. I don't begrudge anyone a vaccine but I think we all want to feel safer and for loved ones not to be in peril. I do admit some anger about what I perceive as unfairness in the vaccination process.
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