Sometimes, The Truth HURTS!

Well now, believe it or not but, some people will have already gotten offended just by the graphic that I've posted.  We live in a world today - at least in the United States - that is over-run with people and the idea that all should be done to keep from hurting anyone's feelings.

Isn't that special?

Whatever you do, be SURE to listen to the podcast that goes along with this article - I really "went off" on this whole idea. WARNING: If you are of this "sensitive type", you may be offended when you listen!

In our country - the United States of America - our current administration has gone overboard with this whole "politically correct" idea to the point that, in my opinion, they have put us - the American people - at risk. I believe that to be true, 100%. 

We have college students who demand to have a "safe place" that they can go without having a chance of being offended or having their feelings hurt while they are in that area. Are you kidding me?

Lawsuits - silly and frivolous -  are the norm in our society and it is a part of this whole "they hurt my feelings" atmosphere and philosophy. 

It has really exploded over the past few years but, friend, it has been coming for a long time and, to some extent, you and I are to blame. 

For years now, parents have increasingly become "over protective" of their children in just about every way. It has been proven that many childhood illnesses can be attributed to the fact that many have tried to make their child's environment "germ free" which, in effect, lowers that child's body from building immunity to such illnesses. Parents have rushed to the aid of their child(ren) at every fall, bump or bruise to the point that the child begins to whine and cry at any little thing that is the least bit uncomfortable. What happens when these children get to pre-school? Ask a teacher.

Parents, increasingly over the years, rush to the school to scold teachers and administrators when they feel their child has been mistreated. If you doubt that - ask a teacher. Kids pick on other kids and parents rush in almost demanding a full-scale investigation into the matter. Again...ask a teacher.

I understand the need to teach children how to treat others with kindness and respect. However, "bullying" or one kid picking on another, has been around since the beginning of time. I went through it and, likely, so did you. And, though I'm not proud to say it, I also was - at times - on the end of the one that was picking on others. And, likely, you may have done so as well. 

Can I "get real" here for a moment? THAT'S LIFE! When we run to our child's rescue anytime there is a perceived injustice or anytime they have had their feelings hurt WE are actually the ones doing them the injustice!

Why? Because we are not teaching them how to HANDLE those types of situations. Instead of teaching them how to handle those types of things and how to "brush it off" and develop the positive mindset needed to do so, we want to change the world instead so that "my child" can be "protected". 

Well friends, we are seeing the "fruits" of that run rampant in our society today. 

There will ALWAYS be "injustice" in our society. Why? Because our society consists of all different kinds of people. There will ALWAYS be those that "bully" us. Always. There will ALWAYS be others that enjoy trying to make themselves feel better about themselves by degrading others. Why? Again, it's called, "other people exist". 

The real question is, "What will YOU do?".

We MUST teach our kids and our grandkids how to handle these situations. We must teach them how to "toughen up" a bit and to learn how to "brush off" these types of things and move on. However, in order for this to take place, WE - as adults - must learn and practice this, ourselves!

I honestly believe that this is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY if our society in America is to survive. I really do believe it's that serious.

It all starts with YOU and me. And, it must start NOW!

Let me say this - I must. If you are a teacher and you had one of my kids in your class, let me apologize for the times that I did just what I discussed above Yes, I "ran to their rescue" on way too many occasions and I apologize for doing so. I can't go back and undo it but, maybe, I can help others from repeating the same mistake.

Again, if you haven't done so yet, you need to listen to the podcast on today's topic. Just click one of the links at the bottom of this article to do so. There is SO MUCH MORE information and additional thoughts that I share with you there that is not found in this article. 

If you listen by going to iTunes, please take a moment and leave a review - I thank you in advance! Also, be sure to stop by the FYU fan page on Facebook and let me know that you left that review AND to just say "hello" and let me know that you are benefiting from Future You University. 

As always, THANKS for joining me today and, please, share this with as many as possible and always be sure to keep moving forward, closer to your dream!

And, until next time, whatever you do,  be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

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Mike's Rant on Misguided Hero Worship

Yeah, yeah, yeah...I'm continuing on my little "rant" for this week and, guess what? I'm still smiling!

So far this week I have "ranted" about people's using "addictions" or some other "disease" to apparently remove them from actual responsibility for their actions, the media's "over kill" on these and just about ANY situation and now, today, I want to "rant" about our misguided "hero worship".

Again, I can't speak for other places in the world, I can only speak of what I see in the United States of America. However, from what I can tell, it seems that this is something that takes place in a LOT of countries around the world.

All of this discussion has centered around - or began because of - Tiger Woods and his HUGE mistakes that have come into light since around Thanksgiving of 2009. On Monday I discussed Steve Phillips, another "celebrity" that was involved in extra marital affairs that cost him at least two different jobs and caused him to enter a "sex addiction clinic" and claim that, because he knew the consequences and he ignored them he MUST be an addict.

The media has covered this thing to the point of exhaustion and, yet, I know there are some people in this country that are just waiting for more and more information on this - and other - topics like it.

Now, let me go ahead and say this ahead of time - tomorrow we WILL be discussing the thought of "role models" and address the question about these "celebrities" - "Are they role models and should they be held to a higher standard?"

You see, to me it doesn't matter if you are talking about athletes, singers, musicians or actors. Here's the bottom line - THEY ARE JUST PEOPLE!

Yet, for whatever reason, we - in this country - have lifted them up and placed them up on a pedestal because...what? They can hit a baseball or dunk a basketball? They can sing or play the guitar? They can act?

This makes it alright in our society for these people to get paid $25 million dollars per year for doing so? Really?

Hey, I like sports just like a lot of people. I enjoy watching Brett Farve and several others play football. I love watching Albert Pujols hit a baseball and LeBron James dunk a basketball. But, does what they do entitle them to be paid THAT kind of money and does it entitle them to the "hero worship" that so many young people - AND ADULTS - pour upon them?

My answer: NO!

Now, let me clarify something here - I have no problem with someone attaining wealth. One of the great things about attaining wealth is all the good that can be done by the person that has accumulated such wealth. Also, I do know and realize that MANY of these athletes (and others I have talked about) DO a lot of wonderful things with the money that they have received. O.k.? But that's not the point of today's discussion.

Here's the point: Does their ability to hit a ball, dunk a ball, sing, play or act automatically qualify them to be a "hero" for our young people?

Let's talk about the REAL heroes that are around us each and every day and let's do all we can to LIFT THEM UP and ENCOURAGE them in THEIR lives. And, hey, by the way...I can guarantee you that THEY are not getting the millions of dollars that these "celebrities" are getting paid. Yet, they are dedicated to their jobs.

Here I go again with another clarification before I talk about some of these real heroes. As I list these groups of people I want to make sure we understand that, just like anything else, just because a person is IN one of these groups does NOT make them a hero! There are GOOD and BAD representations in each of these groups. Obviously, I'm talking about the GOOD representations in each of these groups.

TEACHERS
Where would we be without our teachers? The GOOD teachers are dedicated to their jobs and do their very best to bring out the best in their students. They are often underpaid and under-appreciated. If your child has a GOOD teacher, why not take a moment and send them a note of thanks? What a great thing to do!

POLICEMEN - FIREFIGHTERS - EMT's
There are probably others that fit in this category that I am over looking but it is not done on purpose so forgive me if I left someone out. Again, the GOOD ones in these categories care about their jobs and the ones that they serve. They are there when they are needed to give protection, aid and, even comfort at times. They put their lives in danger regularly but do so willingly. They, too, are usually underpaid and under-appreciated. Do you know one or more of the GOOD ones? Why not tell them "thank you"? I can promise you that they will appreciate it.

THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY
There are countless men and women that have VOLUNTEERED (let's not miss this point) to serve in this way and there are countless numbers of them that are in very dangerous situations on our behalf. You may not agree with the politics behind those in charge, but you cannot fault those that are serving. Along with those that are serving I also want to mention those that are left behind at home to take care of a family or just to worry daily about the safety of their loved one. Salute one of these heroes whenever you get a chance!

OUR VETERANS

There are also countless numbers of men and women that ARE around us every day that have served their country in their past and ALL of them have been impacted in some way. Some with memories that they would like to be rid of and some with physical problems and/or handicaps due to their service. There are also countless families that have nothing BUT the memories of their loved one that served and was killed during their service. Again, salute these people whenever you get the chance.

I'm sure there are MANY more people that YOU can think of in the are of TRUE HEROES! However, the point is not to remind me of them - but to make sure that YOU let them know that you consider them a hero!

THESE are the people that we should be pointing out for our children, our teens and, even for each other as those that truly DESERVE the label of "hero" in our world today.

And, yes, some of these athletes, musicians and actors would also tell you the exact same thing concerning this topic.

Indeed, there ARE true heroes that live among us or HAVE lived among us. Let's get our priorities straight and let's get our focus straight and direct this focus toward those that have actually SACRIFICED and SERVED or are doing so each and every day!

And, as you do so, remember...


"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike