Entitlement

If 2020 has given us anything, it has been more time to think.  More time for us to individually reflect and more time for society to think about how we want to be remembered.  Apparently, social justice is something that is important to many of us in society.  We are appalled at the difference in our society based on race.  Individually, I have had to come to terms with my own white privilege at a deep level.  My husband and I have had very deep philosophical and existential conversations and we have been very honest with each other about how white privilege.  Unconscious bias has now become something to which we are very attuned.  Personally, I thank the courageous women of the WNBA for advancing the conversation forward. 

But, now that we are looking for examples of unconscious bias, we are also seeing many examples of "entitlement".  People who think they are entitled to special treatment because they fall into a specific demographic.  Everyone has been affected by the pandemic in some way, but, it has really affected the "entitled".  They can understand everyone else having to struggle but they shouldn't have been forced to struggle to find toilet paper like everyone else.  Even though, toilet paper is not plentiful, I still see so many examples of entitlement.  The rules shouldn't apply to me.  You don't understand.  It is important to my grandfather that he see his grandchildren every day while he is in PCH.  Those rules about no visiting shouldn't apply to me. 

Yesterday, I briefly met a young woman who taught me a lot about entitlement.  Her whole life has been chaotic and she hasn't got many breaks.  She experienced residential insecurity in her teens which should never happen in Canada.  As I talked to her, I was thinking of all the things she was entitled to a child according to the United Nations; a safe, predictable, structured environment; adequate nutrition, access to education, freedom from abuse, etc.  But, this remarkable young woman taught me a huge lesson. 

It turned out the only thing she really felt entitled to was gratitude to the people who helped her along the way.  She truly only counted the things she has and feels graceful.  It was inspiring.  It made me feel better about the future. 

Next time you hear a voice in your head telling you that you are entitled to something, stop that thought and feel entitled to feel grateful for your life.  You will feel so much better.