Ok, so i was reading on another forum about the way we, as a society, pick up and drop relationships these days like we're playing the hot potatoe game and don't want to get caught holding the bag, as it were.

 

There has been a strange and detrimental societal shift since the entrance of internet chat into our society that has caused us to disavow any former knowledge of honest to goodness commitment. And i am not talking about just the "M" word that so many are afraid of. I don't blame people for being afraid. In a world where we can get married at Taco Bell (yes, it really happened!) and can get divorced for $200 at any point whether we have had sex or not, whether there are kids involved or not etc..i think it is perfectly reasonable to be afraid of a commitment that is meant to be lifelong and binding.  I'm talking about the commitment to each other as fellow humans to be considerate and act honorably. This seems to be a foreign thought to most these days. Personal responsibility for how we treat others seems to have become an antiquated notion with no place in a self indulgent, high speed society.

 

We enjoyed the "Random acts of kindness" movement for a time, trying to boost our social Karma, as it were, but it wasn't long lived. The reason being, from my frustrated perspective, is that it wasn't done for the benefit of others. it was done to boost the individuals sense of deservedness. In short, we did it because it made us feel good, not because it made others lives easier, happier or generally more livable. Now, don't get me wrong; i do know that there are those who acted selflessly during this movement. But overall, what were people saying? "It feels good to do for others." Great, so what about when it doesn't feel good? Love, kindness and consideration don't always feel good. they are selfless behaviors at their core. But at this point in society we do nothing that does not boost our own self esteem. For heavens sake, we have PARENTS who discard their children because of this way of thinking. If it gets too hard or isn't enjoyable anymore, rather than stepping up and giving or doing because it is right regardless of how it feels, we leave. We run away. We escape. And half of the time, we do it without even an explaination! A testimony to the total lack of honor and courage of the society we have forged through the wonders of technology and modern communication.

 

In this bright new world husbands can cheat on their wives, and vice versa, WITHOUT REMORSE, because it wasn't a physical adultry, just one of the mind done on the internet! So it doesn't count. Conversely people join match sites and find the "love of their lives" on the internet. Children can "date" adults because they have connected intellectually online and it's not "just about appearances",  "He loves me for my mind Mommy!" is heard throughout the living-rooms of America along with the stamping of the foot and the request for permission to use the car Saturday night as young girls of 15, 16 and so on venture out to date men anywhere from 25 - 40 or more. I am not opposed to people who are together in a relationship where there is a generous age gap. My own mom and step dad were 10 years apart and he was a great match for her intellectually and in maturity...most days. Regardless, they actually DATED! They didn't get to know each other through correspondance and then from there decide to move in together. We can poke fun at the whole "mail order bride" debacle, but isn't this pretty much the same? Honestly?

 

i have these two quotes that i keep with me daily to encourage me to live my life in a way that will bless those around me rather than tickeling my fancy and encouraging me to live for my own benefit. A co-worker was looking through my clipboard the other day (a bit frustrating as he didn't ask permission) and when i asked what he was looking for he said he wanted to read the new quotes. I was confused. New quotes? I recited the two quotes i usually have written down, but hadn't gotten a chance to do yet. He said "I already read those, i want the new ones." When i explained that it wasn't a "quote of the week" type thing, but the words i try to live my life by the stunned look on his face was a testamony to the foreigness of the concept of the constant in our society. If i am trying to live by wise words of those who have gone before because i believe in their wisdom and have seen the result of such wisdom in the success of their lives...how can i mold my behavior to match what i choose to accept as "good" in a week?

 

We are a people tossed to and fro by the winds and waves of life because we chose to stay as far away from the rocks as possible for fear we might get hurt by them. Instead we prefer to drift in and out of life, relationships, jobs. It's sad. A wittness against us as a country that desires the kind of longevity that others have wrought through embracing tradition and honor as a quintesential part of a changing world. I love America and value everything i have as a result of being an American. I simply fear for the future of the country and people i love because of what i see as a swift decline of personal and societal honor.