There is so much anger and impatience everywhere
- col-lee-elliot-aging-graciously
- December 4, 2024
- 98
Like all other sports nuts, I happily awaited the Ohio State-Michigan game. The loss was disappointing enough, but the behavior after the game was a shame. There were three other schools who participated in the same kind of melee, all of this because of the “neener-neener” planting of the winning school’s flag on the field of the losing team.
The solution seemed to be monetary fines. Imagine $100,000. Where does that money go? All this, of course, could easily be solved — no flags. If we are not teaching self-control within our families and good sportsmanship in our schools, we may expect things to get even worse than they are now.
There is so much anger and impatience everywhere. The other day I was forced to pull in front of a driver to avoid a collision. There was room. He didn’t have to slam on his brakes, but admittedly, it was close. From what I could see, this was an older man. He immediately got as close to my back bumper as he could without hitting me and followed me for several blocks, all the while yelling, shaking his fist and using rude hand gestures.
At first it didn’t bother me, but when it continued for a length of time, I got a little nervous. I didn’t know whether to pull off the street and park in a public place or just keep on driving. This is a minor example compared to what is going on throughout the world.
What is it that is causing so many people to be angry? Why has it suddenly become important to fight authority? Any newscast on any day will have several examples of this kind of behavior. Airplanes seem to be particularly vulnerable, with passengers having to be removed almost daily.
If you were raised in my age group, you were most likely taught to be seen and not heard, a practice that is not much better than being heard in multiple decibels. Unfortunately, today, speaking your mind, no matter how politely, can get you in trouble.
People no longer seem to want to listen and then decide, but rather to dictate — period. As a mother and a teacher, I always felt the old adage, “A soft word turneth away wrath,” something I learned from my grandmother, was a good way to go.
A sense of calm during an argument used to eventually solve the problem — not anymore. Today we see everyone from the most famous to the next-door neighbor, who should be good role models, name calling, using vulgar language and disparaging others in front of anyone of any age who happens to be watching. Sometimes, we ourselves get pulled in.
I believe part of the problem is we no longer teach our children how to cope. If we immediately rush to their defense when anger or disappointments occur or, on the other hand, punish them without giving them the opportunity to learn to wait, to work at a problem or to accept defeat, we take away these skills. Perhaps we should take a closer look at our values, as well as those of the following generations. Something has to happen to turn all this anger around. Let’s hope it is something wonderful.