Raise the Bar

I do not get on a soapbox very often, but I do have two major pet peeves.  One is litter and the other is shopping carts left in the parking lot instead of where they belong. I truly understand the disabled not returning their carts or even a parent with a child left alone in a car when the receptacle is too far away; however, most of that is not the case. 

     What started me on this subject was two different occurrences. There were two times shopping carts were left stranded in front of my car today. The slightest wind could have sent them rolling in my direction. It is also frustrating to look for an empty parking space in a crowded parking lot only to find one, but it is occupied by a vacant cart. 

     The other occurrence was watching a team of people picking up litter off the side of the road. This was litter thrown out by someone else. 

     Not to be judgmental, but I believe littering shows little respect for our country and those who have to come behind and clean it up.  Also, not leaving shopping carts in the appropriate receptacle shows poor cart etiquette and little consideration for others. 

     I often do grit my teeth when I have to return a cart during a rain shower or a very hot, sunny day.  I also am not fond of keeping a bag with trash in the car until I reach an available trash can, but it is a small price to pay for a clean inviting roadside experience. I am not entitled, and I owe respect to others around me. 

     I encourage everyone to raise the bar.  It is a good feeling when you know you have done the right thing. 

     

      

Megyn Kelly Interview

     As I watched an interview between Megyn Kelly and the woman who was fired for flipping off President Trump's motorcade, I was saddened by an adult woman's idea on how to solve problems and her idea on how to teach children respect.  I was saddened further by the applause from the listeners. 
     The interview went something like this:
Megyn:  "How did it feel to flip off the motorcade?"
Woman: "It felt great."
Megyn:  "Do you think it was right to be fired for your action?"
Woman: "Legal and right are not the same thing, are they?"
Megyn:  "Do you regret doing it?"
Woman: "I don't regret doing it. No, we have a big problem with this country."
Megyn:  "What message do you think you are communicating to your children?"
Woman:  "I think I am communicating to them to use their voice when they can, and how they can,  and when they have the opportunity."

     So, flipping off someone or something is using your voice!  So, flipping off someone or something is teaching respect! 
      I, for one, will have to strongly disagree.  I do not believe a finger flip solves a problem nor shows respect, nor does it show maturity at any level.  To quote the writer of today's Charles Stanley devotional, "Our thinking affects us more than we may realize, shaping us into who we are becoming.  Thoughts reap actions, actions reap habits, habits reap character, and our character reaps our destiny."  I will go even further by stating that our actions influence the actions of those around us, including our children.  We are certainly not seeking Christ or following His example when we are being disrespectful. 

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."