Seven Deadly Sins: SLOTH

Sloth is apathy that results in neglect of the physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual needs of a person. It is often thought of as laziness, as the person is in someway failing to do what they need to, but can also be thought of as dejection, or a loss of interest in life. This sin was originally two separate sins, with Acadia representing the apathetic listlessness. However, the two were joined since they shared commonalities.

I find Sloth to be a very dangerous sin. As with the other sins it too can bring someone to the point of death, however it does not operate in the same way the others do to bring about death. All of the other sins deal with action of some sort, whereas Sloth deals with inaction. That inaction is a slippery slope. It can seem comforting at first, but overtime it can become confining, and then defining. You get stuck in the pattern, and it is a very difficult cycle to break.

Diligence is the heavenly virtue that breaks that cycle. It is persistence, fortitude, not giving up, and holding true to your own ethics. It is putting effort into things, into life, and doing the work that is needed to be done.

This is my number one sin. I have at some time or another had it in all four aspects of life mentioned above. It's been a big issue, especially since this sin plays into my personality type. I am a type nine in the Enneagram. Nines like peace and are generally laid back, but as a consequence can easily become neglectful of themselves and instead focus on everyone else. I do this... a lot. In the past my main motivation in life was doing for others. I was very apathetic towards myself, and not very interested in developing myself at all. I am doing better in this, but still fall into the pit of old habits. I hope that with time and effort I can eventually beat it. The key is to keep trying, and to never ever give up.

So that's it for the Seven Deadly Sins. What did you think about Sloth? Is it one of your problem sins, or are you pretty good about it? Also, as a whole what are your feelings on the sins? On the entire segment? Where does each sin rank for you? I'd like to know so please leave your thoughts in the comments.

^-^

Seven Deadly Sins: WRATH

Every person gets angry at some point in their lives. However, not everyone experiences Wrath. Wrath is considered to be feelings of hatred or anger to the point where they can no longer be controlled. It can lead to impatience, violence, and eventually self-destruction as Wrath can linger long after an incident happens. It is the only sin that isn't always associated with self-interest or selfishness, though it can certainly be both those things.

Wrath is a sin that can be expressed both externally towards others and internally towards the self. So while it is obvious when someone is wrathful outwardly, it is a lot harder to figure out when someone is inwardly. The ultimate end to Wrath is death, whether through homicide or suicide as these are literally the final expressions of hatred a person can commit.

To put an end to Wrath we have the heavenly virtue, Patience. To resolve issues and conflicts peacefully, without the use of violence, to forgive others and ourselves, to show mercy, and to create harmony within your community is what the essence of Patience is.

This sin is ranked second in my list as I have severely struggled with it in the past, and still do, though thankfully less so. As a kid I hated myself, and thought I was doomed to Hell. I had a plethora of reasons for believing this, the most idiotic simply being because I was left handed. Most people who knew me didn't know about my intense feelings towards myself, and for a long time I continued on silently until one day I just couldn't take it anymore. I was ten years old.

Thankfully, I had my family to help me realize that what I thought was wrong, I certainly wasn't going to Hell, and that my self-hatred was unwarranted. Since then I have learned to have more Patience with myself, to give myself a break and not be so hard on myself. I am still a work in progress, but I am progressing. I have less of an issue with the external expression of Wrath since I generally am a patient person. However, I have a personality type where admitting anger regarding the ones I care about is difficult so I need to be careful not to let small injustices stack up into pent up resentments.

The key with this sin is that Wrath is when anger gets out of control. It is okay to get upset, to get angry. There just needs to be an adequate reason for the anger, and proper handling of said anger. Good communication is one of the ways that can help that cause.

So how does Wrath rate with you? Do you express it inwardly? Outwardly? Both ways? Is it difficult for you not to get too steamed up, or are you cool as a cucumber? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

^-^

Seven Deadly Sins: GLUTTONY

Gluttony is considered the over-indulgence or over-consumption of anything to the point of waste. So while the images of people gorging themselves on food and drink most often come to mind, such people are not the only perpetrators of this vice. People who become obsessive about something can get into trouble with this as well. Gluttony can also be interpreted as selfishness because you are placing your own self-interests over the well-being and self-interests of others.

It used to be considered that if you eat before appointed meal times, eat too expensive/luxurious food, eat too delicate/elaborate food, or enjoy the process of eating too much then you were also committing the sin of Gluttony, not just when you overate. This meant that snacks were a no-no, spices and condiments were looked down upon, and caviar from France was out of the question. However, as time has passed these other paths to Gluttony have been discarded by most.

Gluttony is blocked by the heavenly virtue, Temperance. It is restraint, moderation of one's actions, thoughts, and feelings. To be mindful of others and their needs, and to have self control when it comes to your own wants and desires.

This sin is number three on my list. It would be number one if the older versions of this sin were still widely in use, though I'm quite grateful that that's not the case. If it was then I would never be allowed to have my sister's cooking, and only my own instead. I do over-consume food sometimes. It is something I'm trying to work on. However, food is not my only problem. Unfortunately, I also have an issue with obsession, as in it's quite easy for me to develop a hobby and then use up all of my time pursuing said hobby. It's a trap I have fallen into many times, and some days it's hard getting out of. 

The good thing is that when it comes to Gluttony and other people I don't have nearly as hard of a time. As I've said before I like sharing. This includes my time. So when I have others around me I am less likely to fall victim to Gluttony.

Now that you know a little more about the sin, Gluttony, what are your thoughts? Do you have a difficult time with over-indulgence? Or are you adept at restraining yourself? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

^-^

Seven Deadly Sins: PRIDE

Pride is considered the big daddy of all sins, and the source of all others. Pride used to be broken off into three separate parts including Hubris and Vainglory (now more commonly known as Vanity), but were combined since they all boiled down to the same issue. Pride occurs when a person believes they are better than others, disregard accomplishments made by others, and excessively admire their own selves.

Pride can also mean a feeling of honor and respect for yourself, others, accomplishments, choices, and actions. This type of Pride is thought to be good, and requires a sense of self in order to be present. Regardless, there is some debate on whether any type of Pride is good or bad.

The virtue associated with stopping Pride is Humility. Humility is giving credit where credit is do, modest behavior, respect, bravery, and selflessness. It is thinking of yourself less without thinking less of yourself. It is having the will to do the icky, non-glamorous jobs, to be charitable towards those you don't necessarily agree with, and to keep your word.

This sin is right smack dab in the middle for me. It is more of an issue with me than the previous ones because sometimes I slip into the mode of thinking that I am right about something, and that everyone else is silly for thinking otherwise. I don't necessarily mean to come off as belittling, but it happens. The good news is that when I see myself being prideful in a bad way I am usually quick to correct myself, or to apologize for behaving in such a rude manner. Also, while I do get tangled up in Pride from time to time, I believe I still tend towards the humble side more often then not. I hope that's the case at least.

So how do you fair when it comes to Pride? Does it sometimes catch you by surprise as it does me? Do you have a hard time with it, or are you actually pretty okay when it comes to this one? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

^-^

Seven Deadly Sins: LUST

Lust is considered an overwhelming desire in the body brought on by an emotion or feeling. While most notorious in the form of sexual desire, Lust can take on other forms, like a Lust for power or food. The key to this sin is that the feeling drives one to excess, but on how much is too much is up for debate.

The range on what is considered excessive and therefore lustful is pretty wide. On one side of the spectrum we have the desire to have sex at all, or even second glances at a person of the opposite sex as being considered lustful. On the opposite side we have Lust as being considered not a vice at all. So as you can see there's a lot of room for interpretation on this one.

As with all the other sins that deal in excess, this sin can lead to a great deal of trouble. However, the virtue of Chastity can help with that problem. Chastity is simply abstaining from certain behaviors that are considered amoral in by your religion's or society's standards. Again, what that is depends on where you're from and what you practice. For sexual desire this is considered in most cultures as abstaining from sexual practices until marriage, practicing courtly love, and romantic friendship. For the other Lust types it is simply the use of moderation.

This sin is third least on my totem pole of sins mostly because I'm still unsure of what constitutes as Lust in my eyes. My upbringing has been one that I've been exposed to an array of differences on what has been constituted as lustful. By one extreme's standards I am certainly considered lustful, but by the other extreme I'd be considered overly modest. I also do not consider myself too prone to excess when it comes to want of power, food, and other things. So with Lust being foggier than the other four ahead of it, it is listed at number five on my list of deadlies.

Hopefully you all have your own idea of what Lust equates to. If you do, what do you consider to be lustful? Do you feel that this sin is one that you fall prey to? Or are you doing fine regarding this particular sin? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

^-^

Seven Deadly Sins: GREED

Greed is a fairly straightforward sin. It is the desire to possess wealth, goods, or objects of abstract value for yourself to an excessive degree, far beyond what you actually need. It is considered a sin that when indulged there is no satisfying it, leaving you frustrated and never truly happy with what you have. This is true both of those who seek the material, and those who try to be excessively moral, social, or better than others.

Greed, though found throughout society, is generally looked down upon, and has great consequences. People who have a great deal of Greed often find themselves without true friendship, and feel isolated from the rest of the world. Eventually these people can no longer sustain the sheer volume of items they possess, or deal with their impulses, and fall into ruin.

Greed is the sin that is combated by Charity. This is not the modern day charity as it includes generosity, self-sacrifice, and unlimited love. It is doing for others without expectation.

I consider Greed to be my second least as far as the seven deadly sins are concerned because from time to time I do find myself a little on the greedy side. This usually happens in the case of small things, thankfully, and generally isn't hard for me to stop the urge. My position as the middle child in my family has helped to foster my mentality as sharing comes quite naturally. I genuinely don't have the desire for excessive amounts of things (well... except maybe books). So as long as I don't become a serious bookworm I should be okay.

How do you interact with Greed? Do you find it a little harder to not hoard things, both physical and abstract? Or is this sin not really your thing? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

^-^

Seven Deadly Sins: ENVY

Now most of us have heard the phrase "green with Envy", but what is envy exactly? Envy is a resentment, one that occurs when someone lacks another person's quality, achievement, or possession and wishes that they could have it instead. At least, that's the most traditional way of looking at it. Nowadays in psychology there is thought to be two types of envy: a malicious one and a mild one. 

The malicious version is where you want what the other person has, exactly what they have, and that they will no longer have it. Imagine a kid taking away another child's toy. However, the other version is where you want to have what that person has, but don't wish to take it from that person. That would be like seeing the toy and then going and asking your parents to buy it for you.

Envy is rather rampant in today's society, and is fought off by the virtue of Kindness. The kind of kindness that brings about charity, compassion, empathy, and friendship. So if you usually have a positive outlook on life and are cheerful you are far less likely to fall victim to this sin.

I consider this to be my least of the seven deadly sins because I tend to have the demeanor above. I prefer to share, and enjoy things together rather than to lord over others. The one area where I feel I fall short is achievements due to the fact that they can make me competitive. While competition is not necessarily a bad thing, it can lead you to bad places if you're not careful. Thankfully this doesn't happen that often to me though, so for the most part I can rest easy.

So how do you relate with Envy? Do you struggle with it a bit more than I do? Or is it not a big one for you? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

^-^

Seven Deadly Sins: An Introduction

Say hello to the Sinful Rainbow! In it is each color that is usually associated with one of the seven deadly sins. We've got red for Wrath, orange for Gluttony, yellow for Greed, green for Envy, light blue for Sloth, blue for Lust, and violet for Pride. So it's almost like a regular rainbow, except you won't find gold at the end of this one. Nope, just what has been considered some of humanities worst traits.

Okay, all silliness aside, the reason I'm bringing up the seven deadly sins is because the next several blog posts will be about them. I will go into detail about what they are, what they mean, and how each one impacts my life personally. However, I'm not going to introduce them based on their assigned color, but by the severity of how they affect me.

Note: I feel that each of these traits touch each of us at varying times, and that none of us are completely without them. As such you won't be automatically damned, but as these aren't actually good qualities to have you should try your best to overcome them.

Now that that disclaimer is out of the way I will show you the list of how I will post them.

Starting with the least...

Envy

Greed

Lust

Pride

Gluttony

Wrath

Sloth

... and ending with the most.

So that's the line up. Through this segment I hope you all will gain a better understanding of what the seven deadly sins are and what they mean to you. Perhaps then you can make your own list (and maybe share it in a comment if you want).