The world does not owe anyone a thing; however, a lot of people have come to think that. We all know that life is the furthest thing from fair, so why do we expect it to be fair to just us?
Everyone in the recent years has become entitled and sensitive, and it really isn't realistic. What is going to happen to those 10 year olds that are given participation trophies? What is going to happen to them when they're adults, and don't do what they need to do in their professional lives? They are going to expect praise for false accolades and when they don’t receive said praise; they're probably going to complain. However, this also might not be their fault. If they are raised where they are always coddled and receive praise and reward for things they didn’t necessarily earn, they are going to keep expecting those things in the future. So, stop putting yourself on a pedestal, and parents, stop putting your child on a pedestal.
What happened to working hard for what you want? Why should everything be given to you? People reading this probably think I was raised in a strict military family, but it's quite the opposite actually. I had (and still have) a wonderful childhood with two supportive parents who encouraged me to do anything. But when my soccer team didn’t win the championship they made it clear I didn’t get a trophy because my team didn’t win. And winners get trophies. Winners also get sprinkles.
Everyone, nowadays, thinks their opinion is more important than the person sitting next to them. It seems like people find something new to be offended by and frankly I don’t really know why this trend is still happening. We live in the United States of America, and this country was founded on the basis for new opportunities. People who first came here wanted to work to make a new life for themselves and their families. They didn’t complain that something was unfair because no one would have listened to them. If you’re so offended by something, then do something about it. Change it if you are that passionate about it. But complaining to people is not going to change a thing.
I’m a firm believer that you can do whatever you want to do in life, you just have to work for it. Imagine that. With that being said, I do understand that some people have easier access to opportunities than others but that doesn’t mean it is unattainable for others either. Stephen Covey put it perfectly, “I am not a product of my circumstances, I am a product of my decisions.” Too many people blame factors other than themselves for situations less than ideal. A simple mindset change could really go a long way there. When you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to get there no matter what, not wait for something to be given to you. The gratification will be ten times better.
Recently, a college president called students thin-skinned and that’s what all of America needs to hear. There are so many running jokes out there about how 2015 is the year that everyone found something to be offended by. Granted, a lot of this stems from political correctness, which is a whole other ball game.
In 2016, is everyone going to be just as offended by everything or is America finally going to get some thicker skin?
