When you stop paying attention for a while, don't think you can just turn it back on whenever you want. Remember this: because of today's laziness, everything that comes after will be worse. Here's why this matters so much. First, you develop a habit of not paying attention. Then you develop a habit of putting off paying attention. You keep pushing away life's happiness, good behavior, and living according to your nature. If putting off attention were actually good for you, then never paying attention at all would be even better. But it's not good for you. So why don't you keep your attention steady? Today I choose to mess around.
When you have remitted your attention for a short time, do not imagine this, that you will recover it when you choose; but let this thought be present to you, that in consequence of the fault committed today your affairs must be in a worse condition for all that follows. For first, and what causes most trouble, a habit of not attending is formed in you; then a habit of deferring your attention. And continually from time to time you drive away by deferring it the happiness of life, proper behavior, the being and living conformably to nature. If then the procrastination of attention is profitable, the complete omission of attention is more profitable; but if it is not profitable, why do you not maintain your attention constant? Today I choose to play.