Courtesy Never Goes Out Of Style
I find inspiration in all things big & small! Anyone who knows me, knows one of my guilty pleasures is take-out Chinese (ugh…it is true)! Which means those fortune cookies and little words of wisdom. Now it just so happens that in this day and age, general courtesy’s can hit a low, especially amongst women! Sometimes they have a way of being snarky, even when seemingly not, that has always perplexed me because we are on the same team of life. I have no doubt that from time to time, I have fallen short of the mark myself but generally, I am typically baffled by it. These types of behaviors are very contradictory to who I am as a person, how I am raising my children & the people I chose to surround myself. My general best defense is a choice to model graciousness in the face of it…and sometimes approach it very matter of factly. So it was especially fitting that I stumbled upon this little fortune! Goodness knows, I have posted about kindness, good manners and graciousness plenty over the years. So courtesy only seems fitting!
Courtesy is from the word ‘courteis’ and is gentle politeness & courtly manners. In the Middle Ages in Europe, it was the behavior expected of nobility and was compiled in courtesy books. It generally means the showing of politeness in one’s attitude and behavior toward others.
It can also be found in the Bible,
Colossians 4:6; Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person,
Thessalonians 5:15; See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people
and my favorite,
Romans 15:1-5; Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
These verses seem especially clear on the matter. After all, the test of good manners is to be able to put up pleasantly with bad ones. In the end, you can always tell who the strong women and humans are! They continue to build each other up, rather then tearing each other down. When they see someone being victimized, they don’t base their discernment on judgement, they stand up for what is right rather then sit idly by or worse yet, join the victimization campaign. Stand by your morals and ethics
If you would do this for those you are close to, you should do it for all people! Empower each other always! ⚓
As always,
Go in love,
4 Comments
Anthony Rodriguez
I so agree with you, Ms. Dutton!
Hope Elizabeth Dutton
Thank you Anthony! I appreciate your support! ❤️⚓️
Michael Flannigan
Hope you are truly an inspiration.
Hope Elizabeth Dutton
Thank you Michael, that is very kind of you. ❤️⚓️