I often refer to personal standards. Choosing them. Setting them. Testing them. Living them. Evaluating them. Every Daily Discipline note could include a section on standards. The standards you choose give direction and shape to your destiny.
Standards aren’t static though. You don’t set them once and never adjust them. The beauty of standards is that they can and do change. You still hold some of the same standards you did as a teenager, but I expect you’ve changed your standards quite a bit since then too.
Sometimes you change your standards because of context. If a two-year-old says your hair is ugly, you’d probably laugh. If your co-worker said it, you’d probably be offended. If your spouse said it, you’d probably be a little hurt and a little grateful they let you know. We evaluate context when applying our standards.
Sometimes you change your standards because you want a different result. After a breakup or divorce, you might adjust the standards of what you look for and expect in a partner. You might change your standards of how you interact and what you will and won’t tolerate in a relationship. We evaluate consequences when applying our standards.
Sometimes you change your standards because you change. Once you become a parent, your attention and priorities become different than before you were a parent. You might adjust your standards with the language you use, how much you work, how often you go out, or how you feel about digital devices and social media. We evaluate ourselves when applying our standards.
Learning what it means to choose and set standards includes understanding that it’s ok and necessary to change our standards. Just keep it disciplined. Do it intentionally, not reactively. Do it with purpose, not for comfort or approval.
What other reasons might move you to adjust your standards? That’s a good question for you to explore.
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