A subject that has been visiting itself upon me more regularly, not to my liking, is death and dying. I understand as you get older, which some people like to point out, that the topic of mortality becomes more in the forefront but just the same it is a difficult issue for many to deal with and I am no different.
It becomes more clear to me as the years go by that this simply can not be all there is. Your life here is only temporary. That being said your life here has permanent impact on your next stage of life. I am a Christian therefore my belief is my next stage is with Jesus Christ. Am I a “saved” Christian? I was saved when I was baptized and to my way of thinking my life should be centered around the stark realization that I should live in a way to show thanks for that fact.
I don’t want to turn this into a religious discussion but as far as I’m concerned death should at its very core be a religious discussion. I am not naïve enough to know that there is a large faction of people out there in this world that are atheists and I am still confounded how you can live your life believing that it is a one and done kind of existence. What a truly depressing way to live.
I choose to not believe I am quite so important on this Earth and that my purpose in this life is to try and convince others that your real future as a Christian is not getting into the best retirement home or having the fattest bank account but to prepare yourself for the eventual meeting with your maker. If I am doing that, I am doing something far greater than earning 7.5% in my IRA (I know a pipedream).
Do I stand on the corner reading my bible to strangers? No but I find nothing wrong with that. The way you teach others is by example. It is not necessary to preach the word to everyone overtly but simply by living your life out as the best person you can be speaks volumes and might just turn a heart or two.
So lately I have seen a number of souls move on and none of them were preachers but they all lived their lives in a way, that although not perfect, displayed their belief that there was more on the other side. I salute them and am better for knowing each of them at some point in my life. When each of you eventually leave this life behind, I hope there is someone out there that can say the same about you because in my mind, if that’s the case, you lived a good life and yes even a Christian life.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Respect? Where has it gone?
It seems to becoming more evident to me than ever that generally speaking we are losing our way as a people in being respectful. I’m not trying to sound old fashioned but I’m going to anyway about this topic. I was raised to be respectful. That doesn’t mean you agree with anyone but it does mean you treat others as you would want to be treated. (the golden rule ain’t so golden anymore)
So I am curious as to why it appears, to me anyway, that generally speaking people are much less cordial and respectful. Again, although this appears to be an indictment of everyone it’s not really meant to be that at all but more so a trend I am seeing. I, in fact, try to not surround myself with people who are disrespectful so likely if you are reading this it doesn’t apply to you. (How’s that for a save?)
This also may be a phenomena taking place more regionally to me but people are fast becoming all about me in their approach to most anything. If you walk in a grocery store and let someone pass by you in an aisle you are an exception. Most people move through stores as if they are all alone and no one else matters. Drive any distance across our fruited plains and you will also see this displayed on the roads. Speed limits are basically ignored unless a blue and white is parked in the median. Turn signals are merely suggestions and typically about the only time you might get a smile or a wave on the roads from a stranger it is one of those special pieces of sign language that I decipher as being number 1.
I recently had an exchange online from an individual that is obviously an atheist and tried my very best to be respectful only to get disrespected, bashed and received a supersize plate of condescension. I don’t know this person and frankly don’t ever want to know him but he is evidence of just how people’s hearts seem to be turning.
I guess my quandary is not so much what I am observing but how it can be changed. Can it be changed? Is this the path we are headed down? What sort of future does this diminished respect have for us? Am I over-exaggerating? Am I just crazy? (OK, don’t answer the last question)
This may seem as though I am whining and there could be a little truth to that but I think there is more to it than that. I go out of my way to be respectful and considerate because I was raised that way and yet I see so many people throughout my day that do not show any of those traits. I will stay the coarse and do my best to continue to smile and be respectful (even at DMV) and I invite you all to do the same!
So I am curious as to why it appears, to me anyway, that generally speaking people are much less cordial and respectful. Again, although this appears to be an indictment of everyone it’s not really meant to be that at all but more so a trend I am seeing. I, in fact, try to not surround myself with people who are disrespectful so likely if you are reading this it doesn’t apply to you. (How’s that for a save?)
This also may be a phenomena taking place more regionally to me but people are fast becoming all about me in their approach to most anything. If you walk in a grocery store and let someone pass by you in an aisle you are an exception. Most people move through stores as if they are all alone and no one else matters. Drive any distance across our fruited plains and you will also see this displayed on the roads. Speed limits are basically ignored unless a blue and white is parked in the median. Turn signals are merely suggestions and typically about the only time you might get a smile or a wave on the roads from a stranger it is one of those special pieces of sign language that I decipher as being number 1.
I recently had an exchange online from an individual that is obviously an atheist and tried my very best to be respectful only to get disrespected, bashed and received a supersize plate of condescension. I don’t know this person and frankly don’t ever want to know him but he is evidence of just how people’s hearts seem to be turning.
I guess my quandary is not so much what I am observing but how it can be changed. Can it be changed? Is this the path we are headed down? What sort of future does this diminished respect have for us? Am I over-exaggerating? Am I just crazy? (OK, don’t answer the last question)
This may seem as though I am whining and there could be a little truth to that but I think there is more to it than that. I go out of my way to be respectful and considerate because I was raised that way and yet I see so many people throughout my day that do not show any of those traits. I will stay the coarse and do my best to continue to smile and be respectful (even at DMV) and I invite you all to do the same!
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