SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we are sitting up tall, raising our hand, and resisting the urge to cut line as we come to the realization that, all I needed to learn, I learned in Kindergarten. Think about it, it was our foundation for how to treat other people. Unless you grew up with a gaggle of brothers and sisters, it was your first attempt at socialization. You and 23 other little screaming demons. Remember, naptime? Having had children of my own, getting a room full of 5-year-olds to all lay down and take a nap all at the same time is beyond my comprehension! Magic I tell you! So what have we been doing since we mastered the basics? We’ve been formulating strong opinions and judgments and then finding every chance we can get to share them. We’ve forgotten the basics and have started creating our own laws of human decency. Ones that fit and support our own narratives. Don’t you wish you could give some people a good old-fashioned time-out? Notice I didn’t say a trip to the woodshed but I know that’s what you were thinking.
I decided to explore this idea based on a popular book by Robert Fulghum; All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Published in 1990 with 7 million copies sold because I found myself shaking my head to outlandish stories of human behavior. The nerve, the Gaul, the perceived right? Whatever happened to common decency? Two teachers in one of my groups commonly refer to this book when we are left perplexed. So I decided to dig into basic manners that transcend every generation and stage of life as well as some that have evolved, thank goodness. I think it’s important to remember how far we’ve come but not to lose sight of the obvious, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
I remember a time when asking someone their age, weight, or salary was a huge no-no. Casual conversation was warned to avoid topics like politics or religion. Personal details were to be offered at a minimum to spare you and the other person. And unless someone offered a window, you didn’t pry!
Today someone will ask you who you voted for and if you’re vaccinated without a second thought. Then if you decide to even answer, truthfully, you are either congratulated for being in alignment with their thinking or chastised, lectured, and/or bullied. Whoa! People, there is a reason you vote behind a black curtain, and your doctor’s office is not allowed to share any details, at all, period! Personal choice and personal privacy. Respect….I’m sure that’s on this list. So Let’s get started!
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
Caryn Antonini reminds us of: Bring Back Basic Manners, Please! By the Today Parenting Team
Over at startsat60.com I found What happened to good manners?
CHALLENGE: Please, take some time to revisit the basics to see what might have gotten left behind during your evolution. Look to see, take time to understand, put yourself in their shoes, and then act appropriately.
I Know YOU Can Do It!