Different Aims of Habit

Too much of the time we use or pursue habit (to habituate ourselves toward a certain thing or toward doing a certain thing) as a means of making our lives easier.

By that I am not saying certain habits do not and should not make certain activities easier. For example, the desire to habitually detect and use good grammar (to not have to require as much mental exertion as when one is not familiar with grammar--dance or sports offer more similar examples) is not a form of laziness one should be reproved for. However, the desire to make aspects of our relationship with God and others an easier thing to get through by habit is sad and impersonal.


Depending on the object or activity, the aim and attitude of habit changes. Sometimes we habituate ourselves toward a thing so that we don't have to think about it as much. At other times we habituate ourselves to create a context in which we can work harder and more effectively engage the situation or activity.