Selfishness...my take on it

Something has been on my mind for sometime now and today I decided to write about it. I have observed lately that we as a nation and a world have become so selfish. It has happened in some capacity everywhere I look. Now I understand as well as the next person that we are living in hard times, but despite that fact our choices have not changed. We now only complain that we don't have or can't afford that which we deserve. Well in lies the problem. What we deserve. Honestly we deserve nothing. For the most part we are a lazy nation and we do just what is required to get by or wait till the last minute, and although we may complete the task we have not put our best into it. I have noticed that this attitude has affected all ages. Children believe they deserve whatever they desire, possibly fueled by the television they watch. They see that if you whine loud enough your parents eventually give in. I listen to the checkout clerks complain that they are "so tired" they've " been working all day". Since when do we think it is abnormal to work a full days work.

I have been blessed in that I do not want for the necessities in life. My children are well fed and clothed. They have had opportunities to play sports and take dance lessons. We eat out in a restaurants 3 or 4 time a month. We have a large family and I believe that we should teach our children to work for what they get. And that a reward should only be taken if it is deserved. We all have chores in our family, but money is only earned for special jobs, not everyday chores. Those are done because we are all a part of this family and we work together to make our house run smoothly. I know my children have tendencies just like everyone else to want all that they see, but I am working hard to show them the true value of a dollar and how good it feels to work for what you have.

OK, so lately it has really bothered me to see the lines at various establishments for "free stuff". Free food, free drinks, free donuts, free admittance to parks and museums. While all of these things have a place and can be a great reward to some very well meaning people. I am annoyed that people will do just about anything for something free. Even dressing up like a cow for free food. Think about it folks, a cow, for food???

I guess maybe I just don't get it. What ever happened to working hard, making an honest dollar, and paying for what you get. This issue is portrayed is a bigger fashion when I look at our government. It is no wonder that we have lost our self respect. For we have seen that if you whine loud enough you get whatever you want.

I hope to shield my family from the infiltration of this negative attitude. We will work hard, pay for what we want, and only take a reward that we deserve. I believe we can change the world one person, or one family at a time. I know that what truly matters is not if we have 558 cable channels, but where our eternity lies. I know that my Savior died, so that you and I might have forgiveness of sins, our debt paid, and the hope of life everlasting. So in light of the fact that I have already been given more than I deserve, I think that from this moment forward I will be thankful for what I have and work hard for the things I need.