Last Sunday, the Primary children presented
the program in Sacrament Meeting.
Monday evening on Veterans Day,
our grandson, Karlton, invited us to his 5th
grade program at school.
Every child had a speaking part in both
programs;
songs and choral readings were articulate
and fervent.
The 5th grade class told the
history of our country
from Christopher Columbus to the present
day.
Encompassing. Educational.
Entertaining.
What’s the problem?
Maybe it’s just me.
In both programs, I detected a feeling of
superiority.
We’re the best.
The best church, the best school, the best
state, the best country.
If we’re the best, who’s the worst?
If we win,
someone has to lose.
Why?
Why do we have to finish first?
To have the most?
And do whatever it takes to be the best?
Why is our culture so competitive?
Why does Utah have to be the best state?
I don’t blame
the children;
it’s the script.
It concerns me what
message seeps into their souls
as they practice
it over and over again.
I think we should be thankful we live here
and extremely grateful for our freedoms and
our country;
but I don’t think our children should feel
superior.
We should just be thankful.
It’s not a contest.
There shouldn’t be a best.
I fiercely believe in patriotism and loyalty,
clothed in humility;
for we are extremely fortunate--really
through no merit of our own.
We definitely should appreciate all that we
have;
be acutely aware of the abundance that
surrounds us
and feel authentic gratitude for these
blessings.
What if we taught our children that all are
good?
What if we teach them to choose to see the world as an abundant place,
with room enough
for everyone
to enjoy the happiness and freedom that we enjoy;
and that our
words, actions, and thoughts
can help achieve that happiness and freedom for
all?
Would this
awaken them to kindness and acceptance
rather than
superiority and scorn?
We need everyone’s
talents and gifts to keep the world wonderful.
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