Manners = Socially Acceptable Behavior
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you have it? Or are you one of the people I want to ditch MY socially acceptable behavior for and strangle the hullabaloo out of???...Just joking, jeez! (just a little)
Manners are NOT just table manners or saying, "Yes Ma'am", "Please" and "Thank You".
Yes, all of those are important, but Today I thought I would talk about...
<<<DRUM ROLL PLEASE>>>
THE GOLDEN RULE
Everyone knows what that is, right?
I am sure most people have HEARD of it. The question is,"How many people LIVE it?"
This is not just for Christians. This "rule dates back to early civilizations and can be found in all manners of religions. Really though, should just be a human rule.
Anger
Pride
Jealousy
Ego
...just a few things that make The Golden Rule so hard to live by.
You cannot control how other people behave.
The only thing you have control of is YOUR behavior.
This is something I tell my kids all the time, they probably hear it in their sleep and come very close to rolling their eyes when I say it sometimes.
I think personally, my biggest problem is anger. I will get angry at the drop of a hat.
For the past year I have had an ongoing problem with a particular family member. I will think I have everything under control, and then BAM! I'm seeing red.
And then I react. Usually in the form of a whiplash from my mouth. I just can't seem to help myself...but I should. Simple as that.
Something MY dad always says to ME, is:
Always make sure you are above reproach.
(yes, we all sound quite Zen...far from it)
In his words of wisdom come this: all it takes is you reacting once for other people to immediately put you in the category with the other person.
So, instead of someone saying,"Oh that person is acting like they are in Junior High still."
It rapidly, without delay, turns into,"Wow. Look at them. They act like they're in Junior High!"
Gone is any sort of will power you had in the last year. Gone are all the times that person did/said something where you chose NOT to react. You are just like them, and there is no amount of argument or proving your case that will change that.
Always be above reproach.
This is not just for Christians. This "rule dates back to early civilizations and can be found in all manners of religions. Really though, should just be a human rule.
Anger
Pride
Jealousy
Ego
...just a few things that make The Golden Rule so hard to live by.
You cannot control how other people behave.
The only thing you have control of is YOUR behavior.
This is something I tell my kids all the time, they probably hear it in their sleep and come very close to rolling their eyes when I say it sometimes.
I think personally, my biggest problem is anger. I will get angry at the drop of a hat.
For the past year I have had an ongoing problem with a particular family member. I will think I have everything under control, and then BAM! I'm seeing red.
And then I react. Usually in the form of a whiplash from my mouth. I just can't seem to help myself...but I should. Simple as that.
Something MY dad always says to ME, is:
Always make sure you are above reproach.
(yes, we all sound quite Zen...far from it)
In his words of wisdom come this: all it takes is you reacting once for other people to immediately put you in the category with the other person.
So, instead of someone saying,"Oh that person is acting like they are in Junior High still."
It rapidly, without delay, turns into,"Wow. Look at them. They act like they're in Junior High!"
Gone is any sort of will power you had in the last year. Gone are all the times that person did/said something where you chose NOT to react. You are just like them, and there is no amount of argument or proving your case that will change that.
Always be above reproach.
Simple.
There is a right and a wrong for a reason.
Use it.
The Golden Rule can be used hundreds of times through out the day, and on the many people you come in contact with.
...and you will never be disappointed.
As you can tell, from above post, I needed a lesson in this as well this week. I have not followed The Golden Rule. I have not controlled my own actions, nor, am I above reproach now.
The only thing I can do, is get up and try again.
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