en·ti·tle·ment
inˈtīdlmənt,enˈtīdlmənt/
noun
noun: entitlement; plural noun: entitlements
tthe fact of having a right to something.
"full entitlement to fees and maintenance should be offered"
| synonyms: | right, prerogative, claim; More
"their entitlement to benefits"
|
- the amount to which a person has a right.
"annual leave entitlement"
synonyms: right, prerogative, claim; More
"their entitlement to benefits" - the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment.
"no wonder your kids have a sense of entitlement"
I recently went through another traumatic life event. After months of build up, hoping and work. I thought I had my break through. The illusion did not even last a month. I was faced with a difficult decision. A decision between what was right and "everyone does it". I think many people can relate to my ethical dilemma.
To my mother's great credit I too the "right" road. If I was going to reach my dreams it would be the right way. However the good choice left me with a whole lot of pent up rage and disappointment. Why does the good guy always loose? It seemed so unfair.
My pity party was pushed aside for a few weeks as I had to go into survival mode. All my energy had to go into seeking alternative routes and opportunities with little avail.
I finally broke down this week.
It was at my lowest point where I had this revelation.
Why did I feel exempt from tragedy? Why do I feel entitled to life being easy?
Think about it. Things go wrong for people every single day. People's trains are late and they miss their exams. That person could have studied so effectively that they had the potential to get a distinction. Yet, some external force ruined that opportunity for them.
Some imbecile runs a red light hits a poor pedestrian with a car.The pedestrian could have waited for the robot to turn green: in technical terms done the right thing. That made no difference to the jerk that hit them because they were too reckless to adhere to road laws.
Does this mean we descend into a free for all, because the world is cruel.
NO
I feel a sense of entitlement is the enemy to us leading our best lives.
I feel the essence of entitlement is bitter. It lacks a ownership of our own lives. Circumstances can be bad. However we will always be in control of our decisions. Entitlement can manifest itself in small ways but left unchecked will escalate. I fear nothing like that of the escalation of entitlement in this world.
Take the Brock Turner rape case in the US. As with all abuse, his deep rooted entitlement led to that evil act. In his being, that belief that he deserve her led to his inexcusable actions. The fact that he saw his wants and ultimately himself above all else.
I am not entitled to anything. The world(general population) owes me nothing. That is the truth. Every act of kindness is a gift. A beautiful and rare gift not to be taken for granted. My own father does not owe me the courtesy of raising or providing for me. If he chooses too, I am blessed.
I find myself often realising my entitlement is taking over when I get upset. Someone pushed in front of me in a queue for example. Why do I feel my time takes, such president above others that I become enraged?
Think about it. Think about things that make you angry or upset.
Think about why you feel that way. Does it have a connection with an elevated sense of self? BE HONEST. Let us rather be an honest generation of broken people. People who are honest can learn and heal. Liars remain stagnant.
We as young people have to start checking ourselves. There are too many issues and concerns that need our attention. We can no longer afford the luxury of us spending so much time on OURSELVES. We all want to be victims of our circumstances. I still stand in awe of many victors of their circumstances. The people who are hurt themselves but still tend to others who are hurting.
We can fight each other individually to no end or even real purpose.
Or we can mobilise as a collective.
But being angry and getting mad is easy. I watched a two year old throw a tantrum in the bus depot for flings today. She screamed for forty minutes. I think at some point she must have started crying for reals because that had to hurt her throat. However the crux of the story is: she never got her flings and everyone around her saw right through her pretense.
Forgiving is difficult. I struggle with it too. I sacrificed other opportunities for a company that did not even consider me and how that choice would affect my life. Getting up is difficult. I wasted almost two months of my life on an opportunity that dissolved in seconds. However crying and screaming isn't going to help. It does not warrant respect and it definitely does not take one forward.
We have to keep moving forward.
To the few if any that read this, may I leave you with this:
Decisions are stronger than circumstance.
