Fixing fence is the one of the hardest jobs on a ranch. I no longer live on a ranch, but I do know what hard work is. Fences are everyone's concern, but nowadays,the "hole" is always your neighbor's side not your own. It used to be that you would respect your neighbor and mend the fence together. If their cows got in your field, a simple phone call resolved the problem. You might even saddle up your own horse and help them gather them up. We need more people who are willing to roll their sleeves up and fix the fence regardless of who your neighbor is. There are people in this country who need to be reminded that a fence is like the way you should conduct your life. Your posts should be straight and neat. The wire needs to be stretched tight and your gate might be closed, but can still be easily opened. And most of all, we can all saddle up together and ride the range, it won't matter if you have an Appaloosa, Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred. The cows still have to be gathered, fences have to be fixed, and the range is a wide open space of opportunity for us all.

Entitlement Disorder

Posted Saturday, February 8, 2014, at 3:32 AM

KaeLynn, my goofy girl.

I am inventing a new disease called "ENTITLEMENT DISORDER. It strikes all walks of life whether you are young or old; rich or poor.

Is it contagious? I am beginning to think so. In the interest of fairness to those of you who seem to be sensitive to Common Sense, I am issuing a Spoiler Alert, so that you can turn the page and read something else.

What is an entitlement? In playground terms, I would say that the recess teacher is AWOL and all the unsupervised children who are not playing nice.

Some of the symptoms of ENTITLEMENT DISORDER; include but are not limited to:

PRIDE: It is okay to be proud of one's accomplishments in life. However, if you find that your nose is elevated and your sense of balance is off-kilter; it might be advisable to stop and tie your shoes and contemplate a new view of your surroundings.

EXCUSES: No matter what life has thrown you; it is beneficial that a person takes responsibility for their own actions. Failure to do so; dooms someone to a never ending cycle of Victimhood, Martyrdom, or Laziness

RAMPANT MISUSE OF THE PUBLIC TRUST: Taking an oath to service should never be placed in the corner to gather dust simply because an individual has a "weak" moment.

GREED: I believe that Greed and Selfishness are degenerative to a person's soul. Those behaviors rot you from the inside out. Greed is not just about wealth or power. It is like a hunger that can never be satisfied unless you keep feeding the BEAST. The Beast might be Money, Power, Sensual Rushes, or Hoarding.

THE GIVE IT TO ME NOW CRY: This cry can be a quiet build-up to a major tantrum. If any of you have experienced the terrible twos of a child, you will recognize this symptom right away. However, a two-year old is just learning communication and social skills. They have good reason for a tantrum or two when they get over-tired,hungry or thirsty. We, as adults do not have this luxury. We cannot demand that life be wonderful and pleasant for everyone at the same time.

LABELING: I particularly hate labeling. Communication stops when we call each other names. Describing a behavior is not the same as labeling. Not every can on the grocery aisle will be the same size,or contain the same ingredients. However, it should be considered a miracle that every can and jar accepts the concept that is room on the shelf for everyone.

DENIAL: A very dangerous symptom indeed. It is almost too late to treat this if we let allow media influences to cloud our judgement or depend on scientific studies or governmental authorities to manage our thinking process.

All of us were gifted with extraordinary brains, free of charge should we decide to use them.

WHINING: This something that we hear every day from all walks of life. If you are two years old, a nice nap may be order. As an adult; you can make a great deal of money on the talk show circuits or write a tell-all book about your particular cause or injustice in life.

Some days, a person just has to accept that fact that your seat on the teeter-totter may be up one day and down the next. If the person on the other end happens to be heavier, it could be a long wait.

There are a great deal more symptoms of this disorder. However, I choose not to give any more time the symptoms and venture some suggested medications for alleviating this misery.

HUMILITY: Being humble does not mean that you have to lick someone's boots. It does mean that a person has a good handle on their personal well-being and does not feel the need to brag about it from the mountain tops.

REASONS: Reasons are not excuses. It is common sense to look both ways and one more time before crossing a busy road during rush hour. Reasons give you a clear view to making sound choices regarding a healthier approach to living your life.

HONESTY: Your word is your bond. Society should demand accountability to those who fail us by a lack of integrity and sincerity.

GENEROSTIY: Being generous is not putting the biggest pile of change in the offering plate on Sunday. It is about sharing the love that is in your heart every single day. Not judging others because they happen to think differently that you do. Taking the best of yourself and giving it freely to everyone that you meet.

GIVING FREELY OF YOUR SURPLUS: This is an act of generosity that might be the easiest to do if you are thinking in terms of tangible offerings in the way of money; furniture, services, or talents.

THE POWER OF A KIND WORD; goes a long way to keeping civil discourse. It is a choice to fight fair in a debate without making it personal. State your own point of view without demanding that everyone agree with you.

DISCERNMENT: Recognize The Changes in Weather: We cannot always have sunny warm days in our lives. Forecasters can be wrong about the dates and times of rain or snow. It is always good to be prepared on all fronts for any type of change. Live Doppler Radar can be very helpful for thunderstorms and tornado warnings.

PRAISE AND PRAYER. The best cure for ENTITLEMENT DISORDER is recognizing how Awesome Our God is. He gives us so many blessings and love each day. Clergy, Government and Special Interest Groups will never give the the full measure of validation and provision that God does.

I have whined, labeled and offered excuses for my behavior more times than I can count. I have denied the good because I could only see the bad parts of my life. We cannot have peace until we seek the cure of ENTITLEMENT DISORDER.

RESEARCH AND INVESTMENT: Find out what is really going on with your fellow man. Invest in their well-being as generously as you choose to invest in your own.

People are naturally generous without court orders; constitutional amendments or religious dictates. It will not be easy to eradicate this destructive disorder. But I am confident that one good deed and kind word at a time will chip away at this miserable malady.

Comments

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HELLO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Posted by lamont on Sat, Feb 8, 2014, at 11:56 AM
I hope that is a good Hello!!!!.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Sat, Feb 8, 2014, at 10:01 PM
For the most part YES ,but there are parts that I vehemently disagree with.Unfettered opportunity must be in place for this utopia,it is not.I WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO INTERPRET THIS,IT'S INTENT IS NOTEWORTHY BUT IT DOES NOT FIT ALL.

By your definition I would have this disorder.It took me 24 yrs to get mad enough to go after a disability I am ENTITLED to and to have it implied I AM ALL THESE THINGS BECAUSE I DID,MAKES ME AS MAD AS WHEN I STEPPED OF THE PLANE AND WAS GREETED WITH..... BABY KILLER.

I guess we are entitled to the cancer that is eating our bodies.WE trusted the public and our leaders, they let us down not visa versa,and they still are.IF that is a part of an entitlement disorder it's a wonder that we can still get people to wear the uniform,for the uniform and not the money.The interpretation as posted is a novel idea but like I said it does not fit all.There is no insult intended

-- Posted by lamont on Sun, Feb 9, 2014, at 10:12 AM
I agree Bonnie

I think you mean "Entitled without EARNING"

Heaven knows you've worked, given of yourself and without doubt are entitled to your benefits, Lamont. There are times others FEEL just as Entitled without doing anything to deserve/earn it.

In the position I work in, I see it all the time from young to old, and back again. I'm a brick wall at times, and hitting a brick wall is frustrating for some. It doesn't budge

Good writing, Bonnie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Sun, Feb 9, 2014, at 10:37 AM
Lamont:

I am not sure where you are coming from. I was commenting like Jessie said as to those who feel entitled to something without earning it the way that most of us have.

I don't think that Military Veterans figure into that at all. Nor those who have paid into Social Security.

Nor do I think that one size fits all. Like I said this affects all sorts of people who feel as though they should have more privileges than someone else.

I look at our government and think that they clearly are not earning their pay. Yet they benefit from our tax dollars.

I look at special interest groups who demand respect yet choose not to respect the values and beliefs of others.

I look at those who live for the next thrill and run rampant in this world doing unspeakable things simple because they want too.

I see the celebrities who have unlimited resources at their disposal and they tell us that we should limit our carbon footprints and accept their living large lifestyles. They voice their outrage for shootings, yet make millions of dollars off a movie that promotes violence and the degradation of women.

I despise that the media picks and chooses whose behavior to report on and ignores the "favorites" and gives them a free pass.

But, I still see good and loving people in my world. I am always encouraged by the stories of great courage and honor that should grace our lives every day.

I am thankful for our military, because they serve our country in spite of the political shenanigans that go on.

I am thankful that God continues to give me insight about myself and how I need to improve my own life.

Bless you Lamont, You have given us a different perspective on things. I believe that you are a very good person who has worked terribly hard. I respect your opinions.

Have a blessed day.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Sun, Feb 9, 2014, at 1:06 PM
Simply.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Sun, Feb 9, 2014, at 1:06 PM
Great writing as always KH Gal. Oh how your message (not lost on all) rings true. Hope your packing is moving along. A new chapter! How exciting. Thank you again for your take.

-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Sun, Feb 9, 2014, at 2:12 PM
CALMN DOWN.....I did not take it out of context I simply point out that one size does not suit all.I could have gotten specific as to what in my opinion is considered entitelements I did not for a good reason.......what my considerations might be might not be the same for someone else.KH the thoughts were well taken and I said that also. IT does bring forth food for thought.

I also deal with as I perceive it peoples intent......your intent was to say the least GRACIOUS.......have a good day.

-- Posted by lamont on Sun, Feb 9, 2014, at 3:18 PM
OH HOW YOUR MESSAGE (NO LOST ON ALL ) RESIGNATES...........BRINGS OUT THE OPPERTUNITY TO BE SNIDE ..........IT NEVER FAILS. For what it is worth KH....THANKYOU for stating what a lot of us think but can't put in compassionate word.......GOD BLESS.......HAVE GREAT DAY.

-- Posted by lamont on Sun, Feb 9, 2014, at 4:20 PM
That's a lot of things in that disorder that seem to really tick you off KH Gal.

-- Posted by Sam_1776 on Sun, Feb 9, 2014, at 6:05 PM
Lamont:

I was worried that I had offended you in some way. Thank you for the encouraging words.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Mon, Feb 10, 2014, at 7:42 AM
I always love to read your thoughts and opinions, Bonnie.

That's the thing about opinions, we are all very different, and reading about another persons thoughts brings out very different feelings within each of us. Does that make one of us more right/wrong than the other? NO. It just makes us each unique.

But we should all respect another persons ideas, knowing that it may have a different meaning to them than it does to us, if it makes us feel uncomfortable.

-- Posted by ktlm on Mon, Feb 10, 2014, at 8:51 AM
KH if you had ticked me off I would have told you.......I have no reason to be snide......take care

-- Posted by lamont on Mon, Feb 10, 2014, at 10:03 AM
Nice job Bonnie.

In "my" opinion the word entitlement is most often used by people to justify something they haven't earned but believe should be given to them anyway. There are only a few things in this life that we are entitled to: The air we breath and to believe or not believe in a divine being are just a couple.

Lamont,

In my opinion your disability is not an entitlement, it's compensation for a job well done.

Thanks for your service and I hope you're doing well.

-- Posted by TundraRat on Mon, Feb 10, 2014, at 12:04 PM
THANKS FOR ASKING TUNDRARAT........I AM OK,,,,, I DONT LET ANYTHING STOP ME.........I got things to do,and I intend to see ALL my grandchildren graduate from college,so I need 15-20 yrs(90's) after that I don't care.You can either ly down and die or you can standup and live, I prefer to stand.I need to maintain physically and mentally and I am doing everything I CAN TO DO THAT.IT is what it is.So the fight goes on.......smile,I love a good fight.......laugh!!!!!!!!!!!! take care...later

-- Posted by lamont on Mon, Feb 10, 2014, at 8:11 PM
Entitlements have been used as a bad word but really the word isn't bad. It just means the right to have something.

For example, you pay into social security and Medicare, and when you need it you get something back. You serve in the military and you have a right to a military flag ceremony, a pension if you served long enough, and a salary and housing while serving.

The thing that ticks ME off is when people try to turn something legitimate into something negative. Everything should be weighed on it's own merit without summing up for groups of people. That just IMHO.

-- Posted by Sam_1776 on Tue, Feb 11, 2014, at 12:13 PM
I envy you lamont. I won't have grandchildren for probably at least two more years. I'm looking forward to it.

-- Posted by Sam_1776 on Tue, Feb 11, 2014, at 3:38 PM
SAM.......They are a joy,I cant really describe how much I LOVE THEM.tHEY DO THE SAME the things OUR KIDS DID BUT FOR SOME REASON WE SEE IT DIFFERENT.I hope your ready for this....... I HAVE A GREATGRANSON,I havn't held him yet but that will happen soon and I can hardly wait.+I HOPE YOUR SAVING YOUR MONEY......WHY????? BECAUSE YOU WONT BE ABLE TO SAY NO.......They bat there eyes and were HAD.......luv it.........laugh.........THE key is to enjoy them, nurture them, teach them but more than anything LOVE them and be sure they know it.The feelings derived from that are unspeakable.......The time will fly............take care.....later

-- Posted by lamont on Tue, Feb 11, 2014, at 5:59 PM
It is going to be a sad day for me when my grandkids stop fighting over who gets to sit on my lap. Right now, I am planning to get a bigger chair.

They are the blessings that I enjoy the most.

I am glad that you are back Lamont. I have missed you.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Wed, Feb 12, 2014, at 8:19 AM

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