07 Apr 2007 11:54 AM

Courtesy: to do or not

     

I daily run into these examples of a lack of courtesy: Drivers playing music real loud so causing others around to have to hear it. Store attendants with a frown on their face and not saying good moring, good afternoon, or how are you today. Drivers who tail gate or jump in front of me. Unwanted sales people soliciting me via my cell phone and not asking for permission before giving their pitch. Wallking in a park and someone coming up to preach Jesus to me without recognizing that I am just out for a restful stroll. Spam in my inbox and and so obscene, and unwanted. Lies from creditors. Children who do not say yes sir, no sir, or do not even use my name. People who jump in line ahead of me in a restaurante or store without apologizing. The list can go on. I had a university professor who complained about the lack of courtesy. He stated that he is on a campaign to encourage people to be courteous. I think I should follow his lead. I know there are times when I am not courteous and then afterwards I could hit myself in the head. We use to be a much more courteous society, at least from what the elders say. I think that is true, as I have noticed more people ignoring each other and not honoring the presence of those around by smiling, opening the door for someone, greeting others, or offering to help. I see the issue of courtesy in neighborhoods too. How often does someone help another in need with taking the trash container to the street. I have done that simply because nobody else did. How about a neighbor who is young and healthy and cuts his grass, but never cuts the grass of his elderly neighbor. I have an assignment for everyone, including myself. Let us keep a record of all the instances in which we exhibed courtesy or the instances in which we did not and should have. Let us do this for a week and see the results. It may be surprising. To clarify what is involved in common courtesy, we can go to the statement of Jesus, when he gave the world the words, "whatsover ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them..." This should be our courtesy statement to live by daily. Another statement from I don't know who is, "What goes around comes around." Courtesy has to do with loving ourselves and loving those around us, who really are more like us than unlike us, when you really think about it

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