Im not exactly sure, how to present this post? But, I will do my best! When I was growing up, we were taught a central theme. Not only, in my family? But, also, in my neighborhood. The word of the day, was respect, and, there was nothing deep about it. Im only bringing this up, because, I spoke with a young man today, who shared a story with me, and asked my opinion? Hes in Juvenile Detention right now. Assaulting a man, whom he felt, disrespected him. When I asked him, what did the man do, that would cause him, to take it upon himself, to inflict injury, his answer totally confused me! I listened...took in everything he said. But still, it made little sense to me! At the end of the conversation, he wanted to hear my thoughts? It opened a window, for me, to share my experience of life, without judgment of him. At the same time, I wasnt going to be cute about it! I explained to him, how, I was taught, before you can ever get respect from people, or not? Two things have to come in to play! You must first, respect your self! Then, you MUST, carry your self WITH respect! If you respect your self, and, carry your self with respect? You will get a lot more respect from people than not! Understand, every one will NOT respect you, anymore than, everyone will love you! It is NOT a given, even when youre being respectful! I went on, to tell the young man, where I am in my life right now, and, how I made the choice, to be where I am! I basically told him that, I live in a world, where people have a common understanding of respect! I dont live in a world where, I have to beat, stab, shoot, or punch people, because of what they lack, or havent been taught! You have to understand WHERE you live? Then, Coach Fred came out! I told the young man, point blank, son? If you live in a world, where, you feel the need, to stab a grown man, because he doesnt respect you, in the way YOU think he should? Then, maybe...just maybe...you have some more growing up to do? His, so called, disrespect of you, and, your immaturity to deal with it, has taken you away, from your job, your mother, your school, and your newborn son! In six months, you will be released, with no more respect from this man, than he gave you before! Yes, its easy to feel good, saying to me, I bet his ass will respect me the next time? Im sure thats noble street cred! But, heres what you missed young man? In six months, you will still, have a family to provide for, a child to feed, rent to pay, clothes to buy, and, an education to receive. Now, try doing THAT, with a felony hanging over your head! Now, you will play, the blame game, blaming people, for things that will now take place in your life, as a result, of YOUR actions! In my conclusion, what pissed you, to the point of, reaching in your pocket, retrieving a knife, and causing injury to someone, simply because he bumped into you...BUMPED in to you, and didnt say excuse me? Will pail, in comparison, to the people...and trust me, there will be many...who will have zero compassion or sympathy for you, in your situation! NOT an employer! And, NOT the landlord! Please, keep our youth, solidly, in your prayers, as much as you can, and, as often as you can! In times like these? They need the elders, more than ever! Happy Wednesday
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 19:37:33 +0000
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