Tonight my heart is breaking.
Two of my children have broken hearts and there is nothing I can do other than be with them when they need my shoulder to cry on and step back when they need a few more minutes alone. (this is an alone moment)
I've been thinking about venting via blog about the overall lack of respect in our society for a while and this is perhaps a perfect time to do more than think about it.
Have we, as a society, completely forgotten what respect is? I have to wonder. I think we've become so self absorbed and feel entitled that we've forgotten what it means to be respectful. I love dictionaries, and I can't help but reach for mine right now. (Yes, I'm that dork who still keeps a bound dictionary on my desk!) The esteemed Mr. Webster tells us that respect is a deferential regard or a willingness to show consideration or appreciation.
Courteous.
Considerate.
Appreciative.
How often do we see examples of these three?
Are we courteous to others or is it "all about me?" Are we considerate or is it "all about me?" Are we appreciative or is it "all about me?" If the answer is "it's all about me", I can't imagine that one can be very courteous or considerate. If "it's all about me", there's no room for appreciation because it's all about feeling entitled.
I can't help but think about my kids. A friend of theirs took his life as a result of being bullied--which to me is the epitome of disrespect. Bullies do not show regard, consideration, or appreciation; they are self absorbed and embody a sense of entitlement. This young man had his whole life ahead of him yet felt he had no other option but to end his life.
This breaks my heart.
And it makes me angry!
I think it is our job as adults to teach our young ones how to be respectful. There's an old saying that is not only true, it is appropriate here: actions speak louder than words. The next generations learn by our example. What are we showing them? Are we showing them how to be courteous, considerate, and appreciative or are we modeling selfishness and entitlement?
My original thought about this blog involved a giant verbal vomit about all the disrespectful things I see in life, on television, in politics, and just disrespect in general. However, tonight I am challenged to simply model appropriate behavior. I want to be more courteous, more considerate and more appreciative in every aspect of my life so that when my kids and their friends look at me they see how to be respectful.
