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Health & Fitness

Sense of Entitlement

Who owes what to whom?

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?  I ask myself this when getting into debates with one of my sons about respect. He says to me (more than once): “How can I respect you when you don’t respect me first?”  I don’t get it. I spent three days in labor trying to bring him into this world. I quit doing anything and everything that might harm him, both in utero and once he arrived. I was the sole source of income for our little family of five, and sometimes I worked more than one job to ensure our roof, food and clothing. I even washed cars for a living between jobs! So when exactly do I earn the respect? You got me!

Whatever happened to “Do unto others” and “Respect thy Mother and Father?"  I guess now it’s “before they do it unto you” and “What mother? What father?” Where did we go wrong to completely turn courtesy and compassion for other human beings into demands for treatment?

On the news, a man was shot because he held the door for someone who didn’t want to thank him. He couldn’t let it go, so he followed and bugged the man until the gun came into the picture. I regularly offer unsolicited compliments, open doors and display that common courtesy bred into me by my parents. When someone doesn’t say thank you, I simply smile and say “You’re welcome!” and continue on my way. Many times, the recipient of my kindness says “I’m sorry, my mind is somewhere else."

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In Atlanta, I learned to drive slower, and let the speeders get ahead. We all end up in the same place around the same time anyway, only I’m not upset and I’ve saved some money on gas. I try to imagine that the other person is perhaps experiencing a tragedy, knowing I have done nothing to them personally. Sometimes it’s just a better deal to take the low road and smile, and maybe even reach out when you can and wish the person well, or smile and wave. It’s very easy to emulate anger, but takes a real person to show compassion and a happy heart. You will find that this attitude will always spill over onto others.

 Entitlement? Let’s not get in a match to see who can give in first, instead, take the first step and lead the way! The world will be a better place for everyone.

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