One thing that really gets to me sometimes is not practicing what you preach. Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen this phrase shift from one end of the spectrum to the complete opposite.
Let’s say, hypothetically, that you and your friend group have promised each other countless times that no matter what happens, you’ll always be there for one another. Sounds great, right? But then one weekend, your friends decide to go out while you choose to stay in. Later that night, one of those same friends calls asking for a ride somewhere. Of course, you agree because you all said you’d always be there for each other, no matter what.
But as you’re helping them out, your other friends see you out and about, even though you told them you were staying in. Suddenly, there is arguing and misunderstandings. You try to remind them, “No matter what happens, we’ll ALWAYS be there for each other,” but now it’s a completely different story.
Need another example? Imagine doing something your parents don’t like, such as using foul language or yelling at your sibling. A few days later, your parents end up doing the same thing. Naturally, you say, “Hey, don’t do that. You told me it’s wrong, so why are you doing it?” with their response being “Do as I say and not as I do.”
To me, it’s just common sense that if you don’t want me to do something, you shouldn’t be doing it either, regardless of whether you’re a parent or not.
At the end of the day, if you expect me to follow your words, I would hope you would do the same thing. But unfortunately, not everyone sees it that way.
