At first, I was skeptical about keeping a written accounting on my effort to take control of my eyes. But even though it seemed excessive, I had to admit that I don't remember everything that transpires during the course of the day, and I tend to "forget" uncomfortable failings. So I decided to try it. I was a little nervous that it might be found by someone, so I devised abbreviations for each of the categories and tucked it away out of sight.
A fascinating pattern emerged when I reviewed last week's log. Until I saw it in black and white, I hadn't realized that I don't usually seek out alternative routes to problematic streets on my way to work. I just barrel through, trying not to look. But reading my log, I realized that I should be choosing better routes in the first place.
It's a funny thing. My wife, Sara, watches her weight by keeping track of what she eats and writing it down at the end of the day. She says it helps keep her "honest." It also makes her really aware of what she's consuming; I've seen her pull her hand back from that extra dessert knowing she will have to "report" it. I guess you could say I'm doing the same thing - watching what my eyes consume. Keeping track is just a device, but it's a clever one, and it seems to work for both of us.
These e-mails are excerpts taken from the book "Windows of the Soul" by Rabbi Zvi Miller of the Salant Foundation.