Entitlements? What are we really owed?

Image by flickr

It seems we've become a nation obsessed with our entitlements. Whether it's the government programs that we insist we deserve. Or the status that a last name should give you or a set of letters before or after our name. Then there are those who believe that second chances are a right we can depend on indefinitely. We as Americans have some delusion that we are owed something for our connections alone.  But the question is what are we really owed? How much can your family's money buy? Does your sir name (last) really command respect for you? Do the initials next to your name (Dr. Rev. Esq.) mean that people submit to your ideals? Can any of these things capture the loyalty of the hearts of those around you? How do you create a loyalty that would cause someone else to seek you out in times of trouble? What quality could you possible have that demands love, respect, and authority in some one's life?


Like the old saying, "anything worth having is worth fighting for", everything you get in this life must be earned. If not by you then by someone else. Likewise, you will never command love, respect, and authority without working or sacrificing for it. Without working, fighting, or more importantly sacrificing for something, whatever you are given will have little or no value. Unless you are willing to lay down all other issues and truly sacrifice for something then no one will respect your stance on that subject. Unless you are unwavering and unwilling to except excuses no one will every believe you are true to yourself. I do NOT put my parents on a pedestal, nor do they want to be, but this is an excellent example. Even though my Son's are in their high school years and my parents are giving them much space to freely find themselves. From infancy through their elementary years my parents have laid down a foundation in my Sons. For the better part of 10 or so years my parents would without exception make arrangements for my boys to sleep at their house on Saturday nights. In addition to all the other grand-parental duties. My Sons have no doubt of my parents intentions. Nor do they have to be told why their grandparents do such. God forbid, but if anything would every happen to Penny and I, there is no doubting on what foundation they would stand to weather such a storm. They would without hesitation seek out my parents. Not because they have the same last names or some title like "grandparent". My parents would be entitled to my Sons' love, respect, and loyalty because of their sacrifice. That sacrifice has bought them something money can't touch. It has bought them my boys' hearts.

Salute courtesy of flickr

To be "entitled" to something means you've "earned" it. Once you've earned something there can be nothing that changes that fact. No rumor, argument, point of view, or falsehood can change what one has truly earned. So if you spend a majority of your time trying to justify what you "should" have then maybe you haven't earned it. If you have to argue daily to those around you, your intentions then maybe you haven't taken a solid stance. If you have to try on a regular basis to explain to others that you are of a certain status then, maybe you don't deserve that status. If you constantly have to remind others of your education, title, or bloodline, then maybe you have not taken the steps to earn their hearts. Actions clearly speak louder than words. So are you known for your actions or arguments? Are you known for your sacrifices or your sob story? Are you know for your unmovable stance or your excuses?

You want to be entitled to someone's love, respect, and loyalty? Lay your life down for them without fail and their heart will always be yours!