THE BONDAGE OF ENTITLEMENTS VS THE JOY OF GIVING

ENTITLEMENT

I spent the afternoon yesterday with my two granddaughters.  We went to a couple of museums and visited one of my favorite men’s clothing stores, they were tolerant of the latter event!  We ended the day with Dairy Queen, a fun day for grandpa!

Of course I bought the tickets, lunch and treats afterwards as they are dependent upon others and I enjoy treating them anyway.  But as I was buying the tickets I watched them and realized the dependency they have and the acceptance of it.  They have no choice.  But they also have no options and are held hostage to what their parents and I can afford or want to do for them.  They also appreciated it even though they didn’t know how much the day cost.  I was happy to do it.

Last weekend my whole family was in Door County visiting my sister and brother in law.  It was a lot of fun to have all ten of us together and for them to bond with their aunt and uncle who hosted us.

We went to restaurants a couple of times and for 10-12 people you can imagine the cost of each meal and drinks.  My sister in law picked up the first tab which was not unexpected because she is a very generous person and was tickled to have us there.  My kids offered to help her but no way, she had the tab.

The next night we went to another restaurant for dinner.  My brother in law tried to pick up this tab but my kids were ahead of him this time and bought dinner for all of us.  My brother in law is quite well fixed and we all know he can afford to treat us which he frequently does.  My kids aren’t wealthy, but they do cherish their independenc.   Somehow they have learned the joy of giving and giving back to those who have treated them many times.  I was proud of them!

Now we are living in a society where a large number of people are receiving welfare, food stamps and other entitlements.  Like my granddaughters many have little choice, and it may be appropriate that we should help them.  But also like my granddaughters they don’t know where the money comes from and are in bondage to someone’s discretion as to how much they should have.  That in itself can be frustrating.  But somehow they haven’t learned the joy of making a living and giving back to others along the way.

I am very happy that my kids can support themselves and give back to others.  It gives them joy to do so as well as self esteem.  My question is:  how do we instill these values in everyone?  Is it education?  Family values?  Motivation?  Pride?

I want to see as many as possible experience this joy.  I doubt if anyone really likes dependency on others if they have a choice.  Do they?