Do you prefer things that are mass produced and sold in stores, or things that are home-made? There are valid arguments for both. Do you receive an adequate amount of honor? Are you recognized and appreciated for the things you do? Does anyone think they get too much of this? Yet it comes with a price. Those who admire you hold influence over you, for you will seek to please them, and they will affect your direction. But honor is something you can create for yourself, by your own character and conduct, whether or not anyone else approves or even notices.

Do you have a desire to improve? Are you aware of the areas in your life where improvement is necessary? Do you engage in the activities that will bring about the changes you desire? Do you engage in regular practices of your faith? Do you see a cause and effect connection of improvement in yourself because of these activities or even a correlation? There is a direct linkage between study and acquiring knowledge, but this linkage is less obvious when it comes to acquiring character traits. This is still  a worthwhile question to ponder.

Are you familiar with the process of dehumanization? This is used by hostile groups to deprive their enemies of a human identity. It can begin by assigning an unflattering nickname to the target group. This may seem fairly innocent but it is the first step on the path to genocide. Millions have died in the process that begins with dehumanization. What is the opposite of this? Can you consider those who are entirely different from you, with whom you think you have nothing in common, and see that they too are created in my image and likeness and worthy of respect on that basis alone?

Do you resent being manipulated? Do you understand that other people only have as much power over you as you give them? The degree to which you care about their opinion of you is the same degree that they will be able to influence you. The Bible warns against this as the fear of men, rather than the fear of God. I said that no man can serve two masters. Do you think of this as a simple binary choice between money and me? Anyone to whom you surrender control is your master.