Proper Regard

On Monday I read "Day Walk, Part 1" by Doug Leland, a Master Coach who publishes "Monday Message," each week, a blog sharing his thoughts and observations. Monday, for example, Doug talked about the apparent disrespect for the environment he witnessed on a very long walk. He suggested that littering is "...a symptom" of unhealthy attitudes and apathy that reflect an alarming disconnect and disrespect for the environment..." I totally agree and see it on my own property every day when I pick up the soda cans, beer bottles and paper cups thrown on the lawn the previous evening. We have lived on this road for thirty-one years and now more than any other time, the litter is ever present.

Over the last several days I've thought about Doug's message and connected it with some thoughts of my own. In this blog I have talked about special people I've met, people who made a difference in my life, but those are rarities. It's the day to day dealings that disappoint me. For example: Why when I am at the checkout (mind you, I have already scanned all of my groceries and packed them) does the checkout clerk barely acknowledge my existence. I say "Hello, so and so" reading her name tag, and she grunts or mumbles or talks to the clerk in the next checkout space; why when you say thank you to anyone under 30 they say "no problem" instead of "you're welcome" or if you ask a question they respond with "whatever"; why do Senators and Congressmen feel is it permissible to publicly shout at the President or for would-be presidential candidates to mimic him.

Just as Doug sees a disconnect and disrespect for the environment, I continue to witness that same lack of connection and disrespect between people -- which leads me to wonder, how, if individuals don't respect each other or at the very least recognize the other's humanity, can we expect them to have regard for the shared ground upon which we all walk.

Change starts with each of us.

You can sign up for Doug LeLand's Monday Message by sending a note to:Doug@DougLeLand.com