Equal. If all things were Equal, I'd be as good a writer as, say, Kellie at Delightfully Ludicrous, or Marianne at We Band of Mothers (or actually any one of you). But, in reality, all things are not Equal. And, really, do all things need to be Equal? Do I deserve the same literary praise as Kellie or Marianne? No. Would I like the same praise? Of course. But I don't deserve it. I'm not as good as they are. So why shouldn't their applause be louder than mine? And perhaps they have worked harder at writing than I have, or maybe they're just naturally great, funny people who easily translate their lives into words on a page. Fact is, the three of us are not Equal. Does that mean that Kellie and Marianne are better than me? Nah. I think they are awesome people, but I am just as awesome. I'm just not as Equally talented with a pen.
I think we use the word Equal way too casually and with too little thought. I also think sometimes the word Equal is used interchangably with the word 'entitled.' And they are not the same. Equal does not = entitled. I do not like the word 'entitled.' Or, at least, the urban meaning, which is
"an attitude, demeanor, or air of rudeness, ingraciousness, or combativeness, especially when making excessive demands for service."
Used in that way, entitled is not a very nice word.
"an attitude, demeanor, or air of rudeness, ingraciousness, or combativeness, especially when making excessive demands for service."
Used in that way, entitled is not a very nice word.
I do believe that we are entitled to be Equal in some things, such as our worth as human beings. But I do not believe we are entitled to be Equal in all things.
All things being Equal, I would retire this very minute with half of Donald Trump's money. But, alas, he worked for his money, I didn't. So, I will keep on working a while longer for my own money and I will keep on trying to pen my thoughts as effortlessly as Kellie and Marianne.
Directing a free legal services agency I'm a huge proponent of Equal access to justice for all, especially those who cannot afford it. So that's what equal means to me.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree . . . justice should not have a price tag, and you shouldn't have to go to jail just because you can't afford a defense.
DeleteYour last paragraph is key. It is the thoughts on paper which draw people to your writing, not the pen. Or as we say in the education world, it is content not form which attracts people to your site. Keep on writing...
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing it's not the form, huh? I'd be a goner :)
DeleteGood post - yes, we need to earn our way in life. Nobody should be entitled to anything!
ReplyDeleteYou mean - "groovy" post :)
DeleteI think the world would be kinda boring if we were all equally good at the same things! And 'entitlement' isn't a good thing; I see far too much of that attitude every day and it makes me ill. Esp. with young people. A perfect example is giving prizes to every child that competes in something, even when they lose, so that they are all 'equal'. Then the kid grows up to expect praise or prizes all the time, instead of learning how to be a gracious loser and to try harder next time. Somehow I survived not winning everything I entered.
ReplyDeletetotally agree. The best satisfaction and sense of self-worth comes from EARNING what we get!
DeleteMakes me think of a more controversial topic of late- where some women think we aren't 'equal' with the men. You're right, though our roles are different, our worth is equal.
ReplyDeleteI sure wouldn't want my husband and I to have the same roles. No way do I want to clean out the garage or change the oil in the car! I'd rather rock the baby and put the band aid on the knee, while wiping away the tears :)
DeleteExcellent post Judy! Definitely no equality in mankind.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful post, so very accurate.
ReplyDeleteKatie atBankerchick Scratchings
Thank you, Katie :)
DeleteEveryone was born with some incredible talent, for some we are waiting for the right tool to capitalize on our talent...Think Bill Gates if he was born in 1801!
ReplyDeleteI think I might have been born before my time.
And some just need to figure out what their talent is! That's sometimes the hardest part. I, too, was born before my time :)
DeleteGreat post. I really learned about entitlement by working at a college. I remember one young female student trying to get her way. She told me that her parents are paying her full tuition & that she wasn't receiving any scholarships. Like that was going to change my mind. It didn't happen. She ended up stomping away with a pouty expression and her entitlement following close behind.
ReplyDeleteI love those kinds of stories, Jaime !
DeleteGreat post, Judy! I agree. Equality certainly does NOT equal entitlement.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I love how you're highlighting the letter of the day in your posts! It gives it a really nice POP!
Aw shucks, you're making me blush! And I think you're a great writer :)
ReplyDeleteI was hoping you'd make your way over here today :)
DeleteGreat post, and I agree! (I like the highlighted letter of the day, as well...it does pop!)
ReplyDeleteThanks, John!
DeleteI think that the Good Lord gives us all different talents. If God wanted us all to be excellent at writing (and nothing else), it really would be terrible. What would the world do? So, God spread the gifts around and that is a good thing. Some people are truly gifted at writing and others are good enough to be interesting. And, really, for the purposes of blogging and social networking, good enough to be interesting is enough. I can tell through this blog that you have many talents outside of this blog. You are a great mom, compassionate and caring toward others, involved in your community, participate in your church, and the list goes on... All things being equal, that is pretty darn awesome.
ReplyDeleteRobin, you are too kind. I honestly feel so grateful for such an amazing blogging family. you all let me just be me and I am so happy to know you all !
DeleteI think a lot of people confuse "equal" and "fair." In my opinion, what's "fair" may not always be "equal"--though sometimes it is. Of course, we all know life is not "fair," but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be as fair as we can make it.
ReplyDeleteI think fair sometimes seems to be in the eye of the beholder.
DeleteAs are so many things. Good point, Judy. ;)
DeleteI am equally touched and baffled by your post. While I am honored by your kind words, it is YOU, my friend, who expresses great range of thought and insight. I'm merely a Cheese Puff against your entree of filet mignon. The world is neither fair nor equal, but I get annoyed when those who have taken great risks and have earned great rewards are villified. It seems as though many want to diminish their struggles by calling it "fortune" and "luck." Forget that. I am not the type of person who would risk it all on a dream, and I think those who do should be applauded and celebrated. Great thought-provoking post, Judy!
ReplyDeleteexcellent, excellent! You are so right. We cannot possibly be equal b/c we don't all make the same choices. And we should stop trying to equalize everyone. People need to be free to live with the consequences of their own choices - good or bad.
ReplyDeletefrom The Dugout