Applying Aristotle to the Beautiful

I don't know about all of you, but I find myself to be incredibly analytical which often translates - unfortunately - to criticism.  A lot of the time, that criticism is projected outward on other people in my life, various situations I encounter, basically, everything EXCEPT me. Well, recently I asked God for an increase in humility.  As an answer to this prayer, God has shifted a lot of my criticism to myself, and it has led to some interesting ponderings.


We all have many identities as my first post suggests.  For myself, Catholic, English major, sister, daughter, friend, girlfriend, Education major, waitress etc. are all labels I would apply, but I soon realized that there was one "label" or "identity" I have not really considered as much as some of my friends. The identity of being a woman - although a popular blog topic and conversation piece - has never really been something I have honestly mulled over.

An Ongoing Process

I think we can all agree that sometimes we set the bar high for ourselves.  New Year's is the most typical time we do this.  I will go to the gym everyday! I will never fight with my sister! I will manage my time better! All are admirable, but rarely do these self-promises stick as we wish they would.  The desire to better oneself is not only present on New Year's day, the week, or maybe month after.  If we have the proper attitude, these standards are also present in our spiritual lives.

IF we're honest with ourselves, it becomes fairly obvious that the world we live in often works against the standards we set for ourselves. How many food or restaurant commercials do we see on TV? How many iPad games exist to suck up that "free time" in our schedules? My friends, the world works against us even in matters that are not matters of faith.   

Although the list is extensive and the variety of situations is vast, I would like to focus on one simple example that has been prevalent in my life the past week or so.
So I start with a confession.