Do you talk to your children, your friends, your partner about what really matters to you/?
Do you discuss what you believe and admire and choose to be and do and have?
Do you care what others believe about you and your integrity, ethics and life choices?
Do you recognize that you are wearing, teaching and demonstrating all the time?
When I was growing up, we ate together talking about what really mattered to us?
Even before school age, there were always discussions about what was helpful.
There was always time to talk on the way to school or the way home from church.
I was never told what to think and feel and believe, because I observed my role models.
I never saw my parents go to bed angry.
I never heard them cursing or yelling at anyone.
I never knew name-calling, bullying or denying a request from someone in need.
I never felt parents too busy to listen to what I believed or felt or needed.
I knew about problems in the world, because we discussed them and how to help.
I knew some people were ignorant, unkind or impoverished, but we focused on being educated, kind and sharing what we had with others.
I knew life could have difficulties, but I knew there was always a way to solve all problems.
I knew there might be some sorrow, but I knew self-pity, tears, fear and doubt were useless.
When we watched TV, we watched inspiring shows.
When we saw the news, we discussed how we could make a better world.
When we heard of someone’s need, we discussed how we could help and responded as a family.
Nothing was kept secret from children, because we knew what we thought and did made a difference.
I invite us each to look at how we relate to one another, how we speak and behave.
We are teaching our children and grandchildren by what we watch on TV and internet.
We are talking to ourselves and others by what we say on the phone, what we text and email.
We are creating the world we have with every thought, word and interaction.
Yes, it matters.
Being rude or crude matters.
Being unkind or abusive in language or tone matters.
Being disrespectful of our elders, our children or ourselves matters.
What we buy, how we dress, what we participate in…..all we do matters.
We are setting the example, the context, the values for the coming generations.
If we believe nothing matters, then nothing will matter.
If we believe we can and do make a difference, we will choose wisely and consciously.
Know YOU MATTER to me.
Loving You,
Betty Lue