This blog is about some social problems I have observed that I am greatly annoyed by and it saddens me when I see these things. I want people to learn the meaning of being human; gratitude, appreciation, and manners. I figure I can do my part in society by bringing awareness to some problems.
The meaning of gratitude. Say thank you!! For example, I had a festival trip for my band class and the night before, I slaved over the oven making cookies so they can enjoy some sweets in the sweltering sun the next day. I was being thoughtful and I wanted my classmates to have some fun and some goodies to enjoy. Of course, everyone was excited about the cookies and everyone wanted some. But the day came to a close and NO ONE EVEN SAID THANK YOU. I am not trying to be a martyr or anything, but a little appreciation would be nice, and ‘thank you’ can go a long way. It’ll make people happier to do nice little things for you. If I was shown some gratitude, I would be happier to make more goodies for my class. I am a busy person, so I have better things to do.
Manners: Call me an old fashioned 16 year old, but I wonder where manners have gone today. When you bump into someone while walking down the hall, no one says sorry anymore, they just give you evil stares. If you’re wrong, just admit it and say sorry. It’ll get things done faster and leave fewer hard feelings.
No one ever says thank you anymore. Or please. Everyone expects others to do things for them for free, and it doesn’t occur to them that other people have to go out of their way to do things for them, and they are only doing it out of the goodness of their heart. They don’t HAVE to do it. But now everyone has a mind set of oh, everyone is their slave and if the other person refuses to do something for them, they are automatically labeled a “bitch.” Whatever happened to please and thank you? Do we need to pop in a video or Barney for people to watch?
Appreciation: No one appreciates anything they are given. Its always, oh, I want this, I want that. I want more!! I don’t care that I already have it at home. I need the latest gadgets so I can show off to my friends. It doesn’t matter that my parents are barely making enough money to get by. I want what my neighbors have. For example, why would a fifth grader need a blackberry? Why do they need a phone, period? Sure, it may be for safety or emergencies, but why would a fifth grader be in situations that would require a phone? Ask what a kid does with a phone and you’ll likely get an answer of “games.”
Happiness doesn’t come from material things. It comes from the simple things, like spending time with family, sitting on the grass and enjoying the cool breeze on a hot summer day, or just laughing with friends. America is in the mind set that more equals better, and money means happiness. Everyone is reaching for their “American dream” and some have lost sight of that dream. It’s always money, money, money for that house house, house and that car, car, car or that new iphone, iphone, iphone. But ask the richest people if they are happy, and you might be surprised at their answer.
In the Buddha teachings, if you want nothing, then you will never be miserable. Don’t want what your neighbors have, because you’ll always have neighbors that have more than you and you can’t always have everything. THINGS do not make you happy. “What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use thing stead of using people and loving things.”
How would you show gratitude? Well on the simple scale, just say thank you. Or give compliments. But actions speak louder than words, so if you really want to show someone you appreciate them, do something nice for them.
How would you reach happiness without things? Simple, go out for a walk and enjoy the breeze and appreciate that the sun comes out everyday. Be happy that you are alive.
Please feel free to comment, or disagree.
I know exactly what you mean! I wrote a journal similar to your not too long ago when I spent three hours at an elementary. However, mine was more focused on how people younger and younger are getting exposed to more adult material. (which in my journal, explained the reason to the impoliteness andthe horrible manners)
I really enjoyed reading your blog. Seriously. I think this would be really great if you tried to get it into the SOCES newspaper. It defninitely caught my attention. ( Maybe a stronger, ctachy title but that was made up for with your content.)
I woud love if you elaborated… and Oh my gooshness!! You should defintely make this an O.O. speech… the subject applies to everyone and it IS something you feel strongly about it.
Good Job Crystal.
<3 MJ
Thank you so much, Magaly. You are really sweet, and you make me fell like my voice is heard and I’m not just rambling along.
I would like to read what you wrote. Where can I read it? I believe that the younger generation IS getting more rude and exposed to explicit material.
Oh, and I wouldn’t know how to make this into a speech, or who would want to listen to me. ^_^
THANK YOU CRYSTAL for writing such a fantastic critique! There are so many names for this generation or age group at the moment. “Generation Rude,” or how about “Generation Ungrateful.” This generation is more than computers and gadgets. This is a miniature society of lazy immature selfish little brats that only want to receive and never want to give. Friendship is so misconstrued now. It isn’t the friend that one likes to be around. It is the friend that gives you the most that becomes the ideal “BEST” friend.
I am glad that my friends are more considerate and realize the impoliteness and vulgarity in the language used by 10 year-olds.
Great Blog! But I disagree with Magaly. I think that if you would have elaborated, you might have exploded. It’s hard not to get angry when you are writing about an annoyance and your thoughts come out faster than your hands can type the words. But it does need to be said. And I know that you are not afraid to say it, and you do.
For that I thank you!!!!
Thanks for the great comment Kay!
I’m glad to have you in my life too :]