The older I get it seems the less I know. Nor do I see things as black and white as I used to.
But one thing I have confidently learned- Whenever I reach for a book to help me raise my kids….the guns get turned on me.
There are several Love and Logic parenting books but the one on the left deal specifically with the entitlement mentality that has shaped nearly every facet of life in America today.
From little toddlers pitching a fit to candy up to the crabby seniors who’ve “paid their dues” and demand their just desserts. (Half price with the early bird discount.)
The Christian world has bought into this thinking too. Only we wrap Bible verses around it. We “stand on the word” and get ticked when God, that Great Errand Boy in the Sky, doesn’t do our bidding.
I see in so many ways how this mentality has enmeshed my thinking. I’ve been upset over our unemployment. Upset over not having this or that. I’m 46 now….things should be better, right?
Better than….what? My peers who live in nice homes who’ve never experienced a lay off? Or….how about this….Better than the single mom, HIV positive, who is trying to provide for her 3 HIV positive children? That second scenario is closer to the reality MOST of the world lives with daily.
Gratitude is the first key to tackling this scourge on our lives….and our culture. And also recognizing the wise words of my daddy: “The world doesn’t owe you a living, honey.” I suspect those folks in Africa understand this truth….and live a happier life because of it. (I am NOT making light of their enormously difficult circumstances, mind you.)
When I relinquish entitlement thinking (and its subsequent fruit of angst and discontent,) I am free to embrace living joyfully in the moment.
It’s not an easy process but I’m confident it’s worth the trouble. Now would someone fetch me a cup of coffee? Oops, I mean…
Filed under: family life, Musings, parenting, Personal development, Stress and worry Tagged: | "From Innocence to Entitlement", Love and Logic
Wow! Sometimes things just come together, I feel like a ‘nexus point’ Theresa, my Neice Elanor just posted this video on fb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3NgzQ9Pcsg&feature=autofb
You would like her, may I take the liberty of introducing you? her blog is here http://www.heavenandel.com/
Theresa,
You have hit the nail on the head…too many of us have a sense of entitlement….it’s not just the teenagers….it’s a good portion of the adults…thanks for the kick in the pants….God owes us nothing! He’s already given us all we need!
Roy….thank you so very much. That video is wonderful as well as the blog. I can see creativity and beauty run in the family tree.
And Yes, I will connect with her on FB and Twitter….she seems like a wonderful girl.
Thanks for “introducing’ us!
Pam- It never ceases to amaze me when I catch myself caught in this trap….it’s second nature. I guess just part of that “me, me, me!” that is native to our nature.
Thanks for your comment!