You may be wondering what I'm talking about here. Many of you are asking yourself "where did what go?" Let me explain. I am from a very small town in South Louisiana. Now no matter what many of you think about it there, no matter what you may or may not have heard, we have a saying. Well, we have many sayings but one I'm sure all of you have heard. Southern Hospitality! I don't consider myself an old individual but I do consider myself old enough to know better. I'm a young man and in my "few" years of life on this Earth I have been many places. I enlisted into the military some time ago and through the military I have been many places in this world. I have learned that many things in this world we live in are uncertain, but one thing I do know is certain, we live in a different world than we did just a few years ago. Different from my early school years in the 80's...different than the new age years of the 90's...and much different than the new generation years of the 2000's. I ask you, to ask yourself "where did the hospitality go?" Not just southern but in general, as a population, as a country, as a world. As we grow it seems we have lost some very important things in our society...common courtesy, general appreciation for one another, self pride & excellence in what we do, and overall caring for our fellow HUMANS! When did things change to an "I have to get mine" attitude? When did we start saying "Why should I do for you if you don't do for me?" "Why should I go above and beyond?" What happened to us that we cannot give the common courtesy of a hello, good morning, thank you, you're welcome or any other kind word. When did we stop taking pride in our work? When did we stop caring about each other? When did we lose trust and stop taking a persons word and start putting everything in writing? When did we begin taking everyone to court and start calling reality TV entertainment? I remember a time, which is now called the "good ol days" when we went out of our way to help people without anything in return. We just did it because it was the right thing to do. We lived by right and wrong and not by "what can I get away with!" We got spanked because that was tough love and discipline, and we learned from it ONE TIME! One good hand from your father and you learned your lesson and it was rare you did it twice. We didn't have computers in our rooms because we were playing outside constantly, which in turn made us healthy little kids. Now, in the computer age, kids get their fitness from video games! Near 50% of our children are or will be obese at some point in their young lives. We stopped cooking and eating as a family because it's easier to get fast food. 2 out of every 3 children eat fast food for one meal EVERY day! We also worked hard for our wages instead of trying to get everything for free. We're trying to be instant millionaires instead of just providing what is needed. It's a general more, more, more attitude and there is no end to it. It's everywhere, everyday. So to get off my soap box and keep this short..I ask you to ask yourself a few things. Do you consider yourself being in this "new age" group? When did you change? What can you do to be a better person? Everyone says they can't change the world but we can. It takes one person at a time to make a difference and who's to say that chain can't begin with you or me? Unfortunately the chain goes both ways and one weak link can weaken the entire line. Don't be the weak link! Be the link that hangs on the the links next to you so the chain is strong. Pass on a good example. Instead of asking where did it go...ask how can we get it back!
B
Thank you God for letting me read this awesome piece of writing. to remind me of you GOD.
ReplyDeleteThank you sir for our insight nice reminder....
Funny you should post something like this a friend and I were just discussing it the other day. Hospitality has gone down the tubes along with kindness and doing things just because you want to not because it will benefit you somehow in the end. A kind heart that wants nothing in return is hard to find these days.
ReplyDeleteYou have really hit the nail on the head with this post. I thought it was just me! I have to admit I am an old school person, and I do miss the old school, or the old southern hospitality as it may be. Being raised in the south it was common place to go the extra mile, but as time progresses, it seems no one is willing to go the extra inch much less the extra mile.
ReplyDeleteI spent 2 months in Shreveport this past fall with my husband and three youngest children, and I have to say some of the old ways are still there. That was one of the nice things that we noticed about Shreveport and liked. People were willing to hold the door for you, or go out of their way to help, but from the traveling that we have done, this is rare. It is rare to see a smile when you pass someone on the street, or at the grocery store. Most people don't even know their own next door neighbors, and don't want to make the effort to.
Let's all bring the good ole days back. We can all start with just a smile,or a kind word. Teach our children to be kind and not so self centered. Our children need to learn values and morals, and to be thankful for what they have! They need to learn that life and what we have is a gift that we have been given from our Father in Heaven, a gift to be appreciated, not thrown away.
Sorry, I'm right there on the soap box with you!
Remember to smile! As I tell my kids, "Try it, your face won't break".