SET OR BE AN EXAMPLE

The moment I set my sights in this title I knew that it was an impossibility. While I may try to live my life as a good example for others to model with a good path to adhere to, the thought of another person using me as an inspiring beacon is flat out crazy, dangerous, and a very bad idea. I am who I am, I do attempt to live in a positive way, I work to be kind and gentle, but I drive myself to distraction with my verve and enthusiastic determination, I would never wish

 this bundled vigor and force upon anyone else. So maybe instead of being the example, I'll just work to set an example.
The moment I set my sights on this second proposal, I knew that it, too, presented an impossibility. Setting an example comes with my own interpretations and designs on what setting an example means. I can tell the truth, act with goodness, obey the laws, and fulfill the roles of a good citizen. Now it is up to outsiders to determine if this is an example that they would like to emulate. Do they like my truth and believe it is the best way to act and think? Do they find my goodness adequate or do they note some areas that are lacking. The same holds true with obeying the laws and acting as a good citizen. Suppose we are driving through the desert and suddenly a red stoplight appears. We stop - it is red, after all - and even though there are no cars, trucks, or pedestrians in sight in any direction we wait. We wait patiently for the light to turn green. But imagine that green never appears. Is the light broken? Is it a trick? It is a test or morality? If red means stop, am I allowed to select when to go? If I decide that I have the right to go as a good citizen, is this a one-time green light or do I now have the privilege of interpreting every law to meet my current demands.
Suppose, too, that mixed into this red light/green light scenario, I have motives and justification for changing the law to suit my needs. For example, my dog is sick and I must get to the vet or I know this light to be broken and so to expedite my day and the day of each driver of all of those cars stacked up behind me, I am permitted to just head out without consideration of the law and its intelligence or foolishness.
Or can I rearrange the light situation to suit my needs? I stop and then proceed to make a left turn. I drive down the road and then make a legal U-turn and then come to the aforementioned light. If it is green, I can now turn legally right and thus continue my trip. Unless, of course, the U-turn was prohibited and the light or the former red light is now green and the former green light, you guessed it, is red. Or what if my original intent was to turn left and now I have a red light obstructing my path. A moral dilemma, a tough choice, a conundrum with no correct answer appears in my conscience.
If I can neither be an example or set an example, what choices remain. Maybe I should just be myself with the caveat that I will do not harm or at least try very hard to do no harm. Am I allowed to live my life with full happiness, joy, and diligent determination and if others want to follow, they may? I believe this is the truth that I will seek: Live an Example that I hope aids others.

source:ezinearticles.