The image above was part of my Twitter feed posted by Funpedia.  I thought the words in the image and realized they were “right on”.

 

Knowing how to act in public is a lesson we begin to learn as a toddler and hopefully have a good handle on it before we graduate from high school.  Sometimes we learn how to act as we imitate good role models, and receive praise for our actions.  Sometimes we learn how to act as we imitate poor role models and receive scolding or other responses that let us learn what we just did was not proper way to respond in that time and situation.  Learning discernment is difficult.  Once we start to learn our age throws us a curve because the rules for what is appropriate change as we age. The younger we are more latitude we are granted in what is appropriate or inappropriate in our behavior.  Sometimes it is not clear to us when we have “aged out of grace” and need to change our behavior.

 

So for those of you who are teaching others how to behave, remember what seems easy for us to understand at age 30+ looks different at age 10.  For those of you who are responsible for your own behavior I hope this is a reminder that the messages you send in your actions are seen by others and may be imitated by them.

 

As a chaplain I hear patients apologize frequently for something they have done or said because the feel it is impolite or otherwise not an appropriate response.  I assure them that they have nothing to apologize for in how they have treated me.  If a patient declines a visit because they are tired, that is their right and I am not offended by that. (Though many feel they need to apologize for that action).  Some patients swear and then realize they spoke what they were thinking and hope they have not offended me.  I assure the patient in these situations that I am not offended any most us get frustrated when we are not feeling well.

 

We serve as teachers for each other whether we realize it or not.  Let us work to send good lessons to those who are watching!