Yes, our family is a lively bunch and many times over the Christmas lunch table, Mum would make failed attempts to settle down the high levels of debate. The voices rose louder between in-laws and out-laws furiously talking over each other with a passion more expected at a football match than a family gathering.
One of the many battles that ensued over the years has been the question of equality for people and what that means in a practical outworking.
The funny thing is that I often wish we had videotape of those fiery encounters due to the fact that we have all evolved in our thinking over time.
While some have refined their stand, others have moved across the whole spectrum of opinion as life experience has engaged their beliefs and caused reflection and reconsideration of new factors.
As we all enter into different life situations, we benefit from slowly becoming more open to ideas and as the old Native American saying says we learn to:
‘Never judge someone until you have walked a mile in his or her moccasins’
Anonymous
Dave Ramsey implies that equality is impossible and delusional because it does not allow for the varying personalities or effort and toil of each person to advance their position.
I tend to agree.
If someone spends more time and effort on a project or learning program, should they not get the rewards of success for that effort? We are not born equal in any way in reality; we are all individuals.
Surely the correct aim of a civilised society is not equality in ‘sameness’ but equality of opportunity so that each person has the potential to achieve, with effort, within our differences.
I have said before, it is our difference that we have to offer the world and we should have respect for all levels of work as assisting society.
Let’s make sure this week that we are allowing others the opportunities to grow and meet their goals in the same way we would ask others to make way for us. We have all ascended the ladder because others dropped us a line.
Remember that being different is your biggest asset and you don’t have to be like everyone else. If you need a career coach, drop me an email or private message today to get you on the right track.
Dave Brebner.
About the Author:
Dave is an Adult Educator, Speaker and Youth leader living in Western Sydney, Australia where he teaches the Electrical Trades at the Western Sydney Institute. He has Diplomas in Business and Training, a Bachelors Degree in Adult Education, Vocational and Workplace Training and a Masters of Education with a major in Career Development. He has lived with Tourette’s Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Anxiety Disorders since an early age, you can read his story online. He is married with 6 children. He is a passionate coach and mentor to young people especially in the vocational guidance and career development areas. Dave is a professional member of the Career Development Association of Australia and has authored a course on Living with Tourette’s which you can study and purchase online through his website – www.davebrebner.com.