We live in a world where it is more acceptable to be a person of importance than to be a person with integrity and values.
The other day at an event, I listened to conversations around me. People are fascinating!
Although I do not always “like” the species, homo sapiens is a very complex and interesting species, thus my fascination and love to observe people.
At the event, the one parent bragged about a new “toy” he bought himself and how expensive it usually is, but he got a great deal for it.
To brag about the high cost or brand name of an item usually shows low self-esteem and a need for validation, and here I was sitting and thinking how everything today is made for us in an environment where it is extremely difficult to be anything else.
I am often asked why I would rather drive an old car instead of just buying a new one. My answer is very simple: I would rather spend money on education and experience (mental and spiritual wealth), than on material wealth or affluence. Living in the world we do today, I see more and more people with a low self-esteem trying to be someone they are not, and narcissism is rife. People are unhappy.
People today are not concerned about what is truly happening in your life and more interested to know what is going on in the life of their favourite celebrity.
Neighbours seldom know each other. I am extremely guilty of that one; people get to know each other less and less. People will “like” or “follow” a conversation that is explosive or sensational rather than to feed themselves on something more sustainable and nourishing to the soul.
Is it any wonder the younger generation is becoming more and more uncaring, unmannered, disrespectful and unabashed?
It is after all what society is teaching them – have the latest gadgets and gear and you are in. If not, sorry old chap, you fall in the by-lines of what is considered “acceptable”.
People take selfies like that is the only thing the entire world wishes to see; they would tweet about the new shoes they have just bought or take an Instagram photo of their latest meal; the list goes on.
Society, in general is getting so image and things orientated, it is very difficult for pa-rents to teach values, morals and principles to children.
But don’t fret – there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It is more important than ever to hold and play an integral part in your household and community.
People these days look more to the behaviour of a person than ever, and because we live in such a fast-paced world, we have to make fast-paced decisions. We have to quickly decide whether we find this person acceptable, reasonable or trendy.
Today you are the billboard towards and for change, you cannot just tell people about it, you need to show them.
You are the light at the end of that seemingly endless and hopeless tunnel. You are the choice to be the one bringing the light or diminishing it.
You have that choice every single day, when you wake up in the morning you make a choice. Make sure it is a choice towards change.
Although the world has changed for my generation and the older generation, adaptation is in order, we should not be totally and completely subservient.
We should show the new generation what it is to be respectful, what is honour and what is etiquette and basic manners, all the things we grew up with, we should show them by being those things ourselves.
Since Biblical times it was the old who were honoured and given high status, making the changes and decisions.
It changed during more recent times, the youth telling the old what is acceptable, what is considered “hot” and “trendy” and making the rules in the household.
This should change and the only way this is going to change is we should be the change.
