There is that moment when a character scrapes a line in the sand, looks out to the rest of the group, and asks, “Are we mice, or are we men?”
Step across the line to embody certain implied values and virtues, or stay on the other side. You have a choice.
It’s not just during major crossroads when you’re forced to take action or no action. These lines show up in our lives daily.
Little choices, all day, determine our character.
Will you be holding the door for the person behind you? Will you let that car in traffic pull in front of you? Will you show up on time? Will you leave a place cleaner or messier than when you arrived? Will you send a message to your friend or just scroll their social media to see how they’re doing?
Some choices depend on your mood or schedule. You tell your loved ones that you’re not really that sort of person, but you’re stressed this week…circumstances are unusual. You explain to your boss that you’re not really that sort of employee, but you’re having a hard time right now. You tell yourself that you’d help more, volunteer, donate, or get involved…when you have extra time or money.
Throughout the week, throughout our lives, the lines shift. After all, they are drawn in sand. The winds constantly transform and shape the landscape. If you’re not aware, one day you’ll find yourself in a foreign place, wondering how you got there. For sure, you’ll be standing on one side of a line. If you don’t like where you find yourself, you can always step to the other side.
