by Beverly Hobbs Shea
From as early as I can remember, my parents used to say to
always “own” my words and actions, to take responsibility
when it was mine to take, and to let integrity be my both
my inner guide and the one hallmark of my existence. That
was in the 50s and 60s – long before it was a fashionable
retro quality to be referred to. That was the time when I
roller skated with a key hung around my neck and no helmet,
when I left the house right after breakfast and returned
when it got dark (sans cellphone), and when teachers walked
the classroom aisles with threatening wooden ruler in hand
because no words were needed. It was clearly a time when
self-discipline, internal fortitude, and respect molded us
into the adults we were expected to be.
Everyone has their own path; it’s not for one to judge
what’s in another’s heart and mind. But while it’s not
right to judge, it’s hard not to observe the fruit of those
early years as it ripens with age and manifests. Speaking
strictly for myself, I’ve often wondered what happened to
many of those roller-skating neighborhood kids as I now
interact with them as adults; I just remind myself that
adults are just kids in bigger bodies (myself included)!
What happened that our generation collectively forgot the
values of hard and honest work, and of teaching the ones
that look to emulate us? Did we abdicate our duty to
demonstrate that it’s more important to stand for what is
correct and right than it is to sit for what is popular and
mediocre ?
And as I did when my own children were young, I now seek to
operate with the very same values the preceding generation
passed down to me — not just parents and teachers, but
early employers and mentors who modeled skill sets both
professionally and personally. I find myself grateful now
for the opportunity to look people in the eye and say what
I mean, and mean what I say; and to know that actions
always speak louder than even the loudest words.
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