Happy Mother’s Day!

Thank you, Mom,

for letting me grow my own wings,

for letting me fly,

for catching me when I fall,

for helping me stand when I can’t,

and for assuring me I can fly again.

I soared even higher, Mom…

simply because you believed.

-Unknown

Continuing our exploration of courtesy and in honor of our moms, we offer this quote to you today:

“Be respectful, even to nasty, hateful people because your Mama raised you better!”          -Unknown

In all seriousness, many Moms are the first people to teach us about courtesy and hold us accountable for what comes out of our mouths. Sadly, that ability may have been fractured over time, as we all have our hateful moments. It doesn’t mean the art of respectful behavior and courtesy are lost on us; it just means we need to practice the discipline again. Perhaps we’ve lost respect for ourselves, which contributes to our inability to be courteous to others.

Interestingly, when we work on our self-respect and gain perspective in thoughtful consideration for ourselves, a natural result is finding it easier to be courteous and respectful toward those around us – even when they are nasty and hateful. It can be challenging to be courteous when others are behaving badly. The key is to be grateful for the tender hearts around us who can rise above their egos and continue to demonstrate kindness and courtesy to those with whom they come in contact.

Remember to appreciate and applaud the courteous efforts of those around you!