‘Grandpa, what is dignity and where does it live?’ Two young ones and their grandparent were talking about the meaning of life when this question popped up.
Giving himself time to think, grandpa asked the two to put their hands on the temples on each side of their heads.
‘Dignity lives in your head, between your two hands – it is part of your way of thinking and how you relate to others!’
The frowns on their faces made him explain in a flash, ’Dignity is your right to be valued and respected for who you are. That recognition of your dignity as a human being you receive in your home as a child becomes the glasses through which you see your world. One day when you are grown up, you will give others what you are getting now.’
He continued before any question could be asked, ‘You are lucky to be in a family where we celebrate you as individuals. And because you feel this kind of love and appreciation, you can value and love others. Because you don’t have to fight for being valuable to us, you don’t have to prove anything to receive our love. That, my children, is experiencing dignity.’
The grandpa continued, ‘Many people never felt this acceptance as a child. Our world’s families are not always filled with the unconditional love you are feeling because they never received it themselves.
‘That’s why people don’t understand dignity. You can never respect or value others if you think, feel, or know you are not loved or respected as a human being. You will always feel something is missing. And sadly, you will subconsciously allow others to mistreat you.’
After a long silence, the eldest questioned, ‘Grandpa, is there any way we can help others feel better if they don’t feel valued.’
‘No’ said the grandpa, ‘You can make the world a better place by being kind or friendly, but you cannot change other people’s minds unless they do.
‘Because you know you are loved, you can make the world a better place by the way you make others feel when you walk away from them. A simple smile or greeting and, of course, please and thank you and basic manners – all those things we are teaching you!
The grandpa continued, ‘These are things you do in people’s faces. Remember valuing others also reflects in what you are saying about or doing for others behind their backs. I believe what is done when someone is not with you is a reflection of your heart and not who that person may be.
’The most important thing you can do for the hurting ones around you is to understand it is not about you and your stepping out of line, but many times their inability to understand or know how to respect you,’ the grandpa finally said.
Copyright Annalie Anticevich© December 2022
Photograph thank you to https://www.educationworld.in/involve-grandparents-to-make-happy-children/
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