Governor Bill AnoatubbyJune 2013
In our modern society, all types of messages are directed toward us daily.
Today, many people have cellular phones and receive a constant stream of calls, emails and text messages. Portable computers deliver even further messages and information. Even as we drive along a city street or major highway our eyes are directed to a multitude of signs and other devices designed to get our attention.
We receive thousands of pieces of information daily that our brains must process. Many of the messages are minor and not really relevant to us and we mentally discard them. However, some messages are very important and require our thought and our focus.
It’s easy in today’s world to be caught up in the “busyness” of everyday life. There are so many elements that distract us and move us away from the things that are truly important.
The fundamentals of honor, respect and civility in our lives can be overshadowed by the avalanche of messaging that occurs today. It is important to keep our lives in proper order, and maintain emphasis on those things that are important in life.
Honor is more than simply the outer shell you show the world. Honor, when boiled down, is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Practicing honorable behavior requires thinking about proper behavior and being prepared for challenging situations. Reinforcing your honorable intentions through study and reading are great ways to form very good and honorable habits.
Respect means more than simply being polite, although politeness is important. You must give of yourself to help others and work with others to achieve positive goals. When a person lacks respect for others he is most often seen as self-serving or simply disinterested. All people deserve the opportunity to be heard and counted, and it is the natural human condition to seek affirmation from family, colleagues and others. Granting respect for others most often stimulates the return of respect. In a mutually respectful communication or relationship, good things happen.
Civility is an element of life that often seems missing in our society today. We have all seen on television, listened on radio or read in the newspaper of harsh and uncivil acts by one person or group towards another. The harshness of our communications is often reinforced by what we see, hear and read today in our mass media.
But civility is a great virtue. The exercise of civility most often creates a wonderful environment for good communication. Civil discourse allows for extended discussion and, very often, a positive outcome. No matter the subject or challenge, engaging others in a civil manner can produce terrific outcomes that would not have otherwise occurred.
It is heartening that today’s Chickasaw people display respect for our elders. Our elders, having grown up in a time of more simplicity and less “messaging,” have much to share with us if we will only take the time to listen. They have the good fortune of long life and have many experiences to share. Slow down, block all the messages for a time, and talk with Chickasaw elders. I guarantee you will be excited and often surprised by what you will learn!
Keeping the time-honored tenets of honor, respect and civility in the forefront of your mind will pay huge dividends, for you, your family and for all with whom you interact. In today’s world, it can be very easy to slide into “busyness.” Take your time and recall what is truly important in life. That, I believe, is the Chickasaw way.
