What was I thinking

I saw a little boy today standing in the checkout line with his mom. He must have been at least 3 years old and as handsome as could be. I smiled and waved at him as he looked my way. He quickly waved back only with his middle finger protruding from a fist. I could hardly be upset at the child, but couldn’t help but wonder what his parents or someone were teaching him. The thought of that upset me quite a bit. As I wondered what were they thinking? I saw the most beautiful little girl today, she couldn’t have been much older than 5. She was waiting with others to be seated at a restaurant one warm summer evening. She was a bit restless when she turned and walked my way. I said hello Princess, how are you this evening? She quickly gave me an angry look and said Fu*$ you dude, leave me alone! I could hardly be upset at the child, but couldn’t help but wonder what her parents or someone were teaching her. The thought of that upset me quite a bit. As I wondered what were they thinking?While sitting in church last Sunday listening to the sermon. There was quite the commotion just two pews in front of me. Two children started arguing very violently. They could not have been much older than 3 and 4 years old, but you would have thought they were grown when you observed their actions? They were slapping, hitting, kicking, and screaming. They were yelling and name-calling using words that I don’t even say. The parents were told NO very loudly when they calmly asked them to behave. It was quite the spectacle of rudeness on public display. I could hardly be upset at the children, but couldn’t help but wonder what their parents or someone were teaching them. The thought of that upset me quite a bit. As I wondered what were they thinking? The use of vulgar words in our vocabulary seems pretty much commonplace these days. I’m guessing it’s everyone practicing their freedom of speech. As much as some may feel they have the right to say whatever they want, which is quite true. Other’s feel they have the exact same right to not have to hear it at all. You can argue back and forth whose rights are superior and take precedence to no avail of course. Because they are equal just like all our rights are. So how do we find a resolution you ask? That is when something far older than the declaration of our civil rights comes into play. It goes as far back as most can remember. It is called respect, integrity, and empathy. You must first have integrity, moral principles, the ability to know and understand what is the right thing to do. You must have empathy for others as much as you wish for them to have empathy for you. You must have respect for others’ space, privacy, beliefs, and rights just as you want respect for your own. If you have any of these things listed above, then I’m not talking about you or your children, there will be no need. None the less I am sure some feel this is about them, and you are exactly right, it is. I know all too well a child can be unruly, I was once an unruly child myself. Of course, my mom and dad changed my mind about that. After they got through with me, I wondered what was I thinking? I know people tend to get irritated, aggravated, disgusted, and mad. Sometimes we say things we wouldn’t normally say. Some apologize to those around them others, could care less. Those that could care less are the ones that should feel this is about you, it is. If you can’t walk up in the middle of a church or whatever place of worship you and your family attend and say the things you do outside of it, why would you say them anywhere? If you can’t say them in front of your mother, grandmother, or other adult family members why would you say them anywhere? If you don’t feel comfortable saying them anywhere why in the world would you expose your child to them? We lead by example. Your children are a reflection of you. By all means, know and understand ALL your rights, God-given, country-given, or otherwise. But also, and most importantly know and understand the importance of having integrity and respect. And that is exactly what I was thinking.
Simply my thoughts
Dean Butler.