entitlement

Most Americans feel that they are entitled to certain things. We think we have inalienable rights to be compensated when we receive bad service or when a product we purchase doesn't function properly. I know this because I sense it in me. Yet, there is something else in me that reminds me that I am entitled to nothing.

When I embrace this sense of entitlement, I turn other people into something less than people. Suddenly the waitress 'deserves' less of a tip. Suddenly the service counter guy 'deserves' my anger and frustration--as if that would help me get something for my trouble. It is easy to find yourself at the center of your universe--and it's an ugly place to find yourself. We're not equipped to handle life at the center of the universe. The strong forces are too strong. The gravity is to much. We're equipped to handle the lazy orbit around a minor star in a tiny solar system at the edge of a spiraling galaxy somewhere in the edges of the universe.

Get yourself into orbit around something other than yourself.

I say, "Give up your sense of entitlement." I say this to myself first. Then to all of you self-orbiting Americans like me. You're entitled to nothing--except the chance to show love to the waitress who messes up your order and the poor guy behind the return counter at Best Buy.