“A man in his life may have many teachers, some most unexpected. The question lies with the man himself: Will he learn from them?” –Louis L’Amour
“Society has adopted the judicial process as its moral yardstick and forfeited common sense and personal responsibility.” –John Vermillion
Well, it was a week; a good start, and I handed out a few lessons besides academia. But they came running out of the chute and I had no clue as to what to expect. Hmmm, that’s not exactly true. After teaching a few years one kind of gets a sense of what to expect very quickly. The real proof will be many encounters throughout the year.
Somewhere along this trek there will be nudges, maybe even some obstinance, many successes, and most will relate to attitude and choice. I even had one already show his colors. There was a smart aleck who belligerently challenged me so I told him how the cow eats the cabbage. The next morning he was at my room complaining that he didn’t like the way I yelled at him. If I didn’t have to get in serious mode right quick it might have made me laugh. I didn’t even raise my voice to him, but I did give him that “tone.” This particular morning I told him that I knew how to yell and he could experience it if he so wished. He declined.
But this is another case of what is happening. It is alright to be disrespectful, and even apologize later, but don’t dare hurt anyone’s feelings with a reprimand. What is going to happen when the world smacks him in the face? Does the world care about your feelings? I think most of the time it disregards and doesn’t care if you win or lay in the gutter on the side of the street.
I recall the story of a new guy hired on and getting ready to ride out. He was partnered with an old-timer. He rode off right in front of the man of experience and in a matter of seconds was on the ground–roped, and tied like a calf. He learned very quickly that he overstepped his bounds; he had not yet paid the price. One of the things I see missing lately is the fact that people don’t think they have to pay their dues. It goes back to that sense of entitlement. It is important that we teach that there is a price to be paid for success.
“Now Samuel had not yet experienced the Lord, because the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.” –1 Samuel 3:7 (HCSB)