Tagged… An Open Invitation!

I have been tagged again! And while I’ve agreed not to ‘tag’ anybody else (after the flak I took for tagging people last time, and the extremely limited number of friends I have who (a) blog, and/or (b) would actually respond, I’m hoping that some of you fine folks who frequently visit, and seldom comment, will take up the gauntlet that is hereby cast!

Thanks Aafke, my friend who Tagged! me!

So here is the meme:
List 6 actions or achievements you think every person should accomplish before reaching the ripe old age 18. There are no conditions on what can be included on the list.

Here is my response:
Before I begin with my list, I must state that, for most people, adult life doesn’t begin until you gain your independence, strike out on your own and make your own way. However, that being said, there are still some things that I think everyone should accomplish before they’re 18 (or old enough to vote here in the US).

1. Learn how to honor and obey your parents. They are responsible for your well-being until your grown… and will likely feel responsible for your well-being long after that time. (This is not to be confused with agreeing with your parents – that’s a totally different thing.) Children who honor their father and mother are promised long life – and the blessings don’t end there.

2. Learn to take responsibility for your actions. Having worked with convicted felons for well over a quarter century now, it is quite clear to me that many of these (especially the younger ones, but the older ones as well) would’ve seen a change for the better had they only known how to accept responsibility for their actions, rather than have society force it upon them.

3. Learn to tell the truth, and understand the importance of honesty. Sounds much simpler than it is, actually. And many parents unwittingly teach their children to lie in such ‘harmless’ ways as, “Be good, or Santa Claus won’t come bring you toys.” Sound familiar? Perhaps. True? Not a word. And what happens to children who don’t believe? No toys… and a spirit to perpetuate a lie to their own children. As cliche’ as may sound, honesty truly is the best policy!

4. Learn to think of others before yourself. Everyone of us was born already knowing how to be selfish. Watch little children playing, and see how often they’ll fight over a toy. “MINE!” Humility is something to strive after, as pride is truly a terrible thing – and generally a very costly one as well. And, if you’re able to learn (and know the value) to think of others before yourself, you’ll be on your way to…

5. Learn to recognize how fortunate you truly are. No matter what your station in life, if you’re reading this, you’re more fortunate than an extremely vast segment of the world’s population… who can’t read. If you’ve enjoyed a warm meal every night for the past 18 years, you’re more fortunate than millions of people who wake each morning not knowing whether or not they’ll even eat today. Too often, such things are taken for granted in our societies – whether mine, here in the US, or yours, where ever you may be. Always be thankful, and don’t take these daily blessings for granted.

6. Learn to give back – or, as some may say, “pay it forward.” How many have heard the proverb, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime.” Every one of us, no matter who/where/what or how old we are, has something to share – and there are no exceptions. Learning to share it, however, doesn’t come naturally for many, although it does (thankfully) for some. No matter how good it makes you feel to receive something special, it will never come close to how wonderful it feels to see the look in the eyes of someone else whose just received something special from you.

And one last one… just because I’ve never been too good at following the rules!

No matter what the situation or circumstance, do the very best you can to leave it better than you found it. Admittedly, this may not always be possible – at least not to everyone – but it is truly worth the effort. Each of us is put here in this world for a reason. It may be obvious, but most likely not. Most of us will spend our lives trying to figure out what that reason is. Some will become convinced they know, while others will pass away with that question still on their mind. You know, it could be something as simple as showing kindness to a stranger, or helping a friend find a moment of laughter in an otherwise stressful or hurtful day. It could be as simple as saying, “Thank you” to the checker at the grocery store, or even something so small as sharing a smile with someone you pass on the sidewalk. It could even be saying, “I’m sorry” to someone you’ve hurt, whether accidental or otherwise.
Think about that for a moment, and then decide what you can do to make today better than yesterday… then do it again tomorrow.

Incidentally, the Latin phrase across the bottom of the blog seal above, “Pax, Amor et Veritas,” translates “Peace, Love and Truth.” How great the world would be if, instead of governments, religions and ethnicities focusing all of the attention on how different we are, we all simply chose to focus on how alike we are – which is truly the far greater thing. Here’s wishing you peace, love and truth.

“You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.” – Henry Drummond