An Ode to Manners!

In an age where being self-centered is in style, many are finding that something is missing from the mix. Since the sixties many have sought to liberate themselves from the trappings of conformist morality, but in the process have delved into a worldview equally as constraining to true self-expression. Disregarding others does not place us in higher regard. Appearing “busy” and self-important is not a sign of one’s quality or nobility but simply social cues that people exude to aggrandize themselves over others. A person who is comfortable in his own skin has nothing to prove to those more ignorant or less accomplished than he. And a person who is truly comfortable with his own existence has nothing to prove to those who he sees as ‘smarter’ or more accomplished than himself, but is open to lessons offered by all those he encounters in life, including children. My observation for rule number 110 in Mind Your Manners! illustrates this point; “Try not to be better than your neighbor but better than yourself.”