Shake Off Our Sleeves

I was working here at my computer and listening to FOX CABLE, as usual, and once again I heard some things that stuck a chord with me. It is most unfortunate that our society has become one that is so “touchy-feely” with everything. Being “offended” has become something to avoid, or go into an attack mode to punish those that are guilty of doing the “offending.”  Those behind our social media, along with those whose life’s calling is to reshape America into their own Marxist-Socialist image, have work feverously to tear down our one time social sense of respect, and replace it with our present day mood of sensitivity to any opinion, theology or ideology we hold dear.

I was raised in a home where both of my parents seemed to have had the same upbringing. Their values were identical, and they passed them on to my sister and me with consistent regularity. We were raised in church (Evangelical), and from my earliest memory, I watched what we learned on Sunday played out in our home throughout the week. There was never a time that we did not know love, which made our strict upbringing tolerable, and now as a mature adult, thankful.

One of the many things I learned as a boy was respect for people in general. I was taught that any form of prejudice was wrong. From my earliest recollection showing people respect by saying, “Sir; Mam;  please; Thank You; etc. was commonplace. In fact, not long ago, a man I knew very well stopped me one day and exclaimed that we were not in the military ( because every time I saw him I would say things like “Good morning Sir”). I responded that I did not learn that in the Marine Corp, but by my parents and grandparents.  That was as much a part of my upbringing as anything else, including political perspectives; I was raised as a conservative Christian with a genuine relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, not a religion or an ideology.

I also was taught to show respect to others who had a differing opinion than mine. Those lessons taught me that a differing opinion was not a rejection of me, my opinion, or beliefs. They were just different. We could have a discussion without argument, or “offending” the person. In fact, one such lesson, learned the hard way, regarded HOW we offend other people; (1) Our attitude toward them, (2) our reaction to them, and (3) the words (including phrases euphemisms, dysphemism and slur words) we use. Yes, words have meanings, and certain words have no place in any civil societal discourse.

As I got older, and got to know my dad better, on more than one occasion I would watch him discuss issues I knew were important to him. Even when opposed with great emotion, he remained calm and would not be confrontational. That was consistent with both my grandparents, and other role models around me.  I know that others were raised in the same way because we shared most of the same values I learned at home. No, we were not raised on another planet.

Out parents, grandparents and other role models were people who came out the Great Depression, two World Wars and the Korean “Conflict”. These were people who had learned these lessons from people who learned such societal conduct from hard times, and respect for what it took to survive. Being thankful was a lifestyle of appreciation for more abundance than most of their ancestors ever knew. Respect for life, respect for others, respect for social conduct, respect for education, respect for family, respect for your Spiritual Life and respect for self were ongoing lessons that knew no graduation.

As I listen to what people say every day, I could get very offended, IF I CHOSE TO GET OFFENDED. Yes, being offended is a choice, a deliberate act of the will. Tip-toeing through life has no pleasure for anyone, especially those that look for ways to be offended. What a miserable way to live. I can’t change them, but I can control my conduct, and my sensitivity.

As for me, I choose to be respectful, loving and accepting (accepting is NOT saying I agree with an opinion, ideology, theology or political spin).  A very wise person said that we need to choose our battles. True. In the mean time, why don’t we just shake off our sleeves, put our “offense gun” back in its holster, and decide to get to know the people we come in contact with every day. Who knows, we might find ways to get along, and make our society more pleasant.