We all have developed principles and standards of behavior which we expect form our family and friends, and society in general. Principles are good; they provide a foundation for good behavior and serve as a learning tool for society's youth. Why is it difficult for people to live up to the principles they believe in? First, we often expect more of others than we expect from ourselves. Other reasons include the human fear of ridicule, and simply not knowing how to change ones lifestyle to conform to a particular principle.
             It is true that often what we want, in terms of another's behavior, is superior to the behaviors we are willing to live by. Honking your horn in anger as another driver cuts you off in order to make an immediate and necessary turn is a good example. We have no idea why this person is in such a hurry but we consider this behavior to be rude and inconsiderate. It is likely, however, that if the situation was reversed we would not hesitate to cut off a driver to avoid missing our turn. This example, while simple and insignificant in nature, illustrates how we can look poorly upon the actions of another person yet fail to criticize our own similar actions.
             Human beings are afraid of ridicule and humiliation. The principles that we hold for ourselves should be in line with the standards of society, however, our friends and family will not always conform to these standards. We feel the need to fit in with our surroundings, including the people we are closest to. We also have a fear of failure. While this fear exists, it is more accurately a fear of the ridicule we will face from our loved ones if we fail that drives us to not make good on our own principles. Unconsciously, people set the standards and principles which they live by low. This keeps the expectations others have of us similarly low. In this way, we can justify not living up to our principles.
             Sometimes we have great principles fo...