Snag The Zagnut

 Just when you think you've heard every joke ever told in Alcoholics Anonymous . . . 

An alcoholic is driving to work when he gets a flat tire.  He knows he has a jack and a spare tire in  the trunk and the ability to change a tire.  He knows he has a solution.  He pulls the car to the side of the road, safely out of the flow of traffic; gets out; opens the trunk; and takes out a case of beer . . . .. 

I've always liked this Buddhist interpretation of morality and how we can strive to be better.

First, we obey "The Rules" because we don't want to be punished if we get caught breaking the rules.  We don't shoplift because we don't want to go to jail for shoplifting.  Not because shoplifting is wrong or that we don't enjoy shoplifting or that we aren't good at it.

Secondly, we begin to obey "The Rules" even in the absence of a punishing force.  When we know we can shoplift a Zagnut bar and not get caught we still don't snag the Zag because it's the right thing to do.

Finally, we begin to live a life based on mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion.  We know what good living is, right living.  We've internalized it.  We've dug ourselves out of our own personal viewpoint.  We can see beyond our own wants and desires.  We don't think about shoplifting, even if we know that no one has ever bought a Zagnut bar, ever.  Just because that Zagnut has been in that store since Christ walked on the face of the earth we don't snag it.