Both are required by each and every one of us no matter what relationship we are in; a marriage, family, teams, work, buying something, community, etc.
No
matter which role you play in each of these relationships – husband/wife,
child/parent, employee/player/employer/manager, consumer/business, and
constituent/politician – the common factor is....each role is played by a
PERSON! A human being.
For
many years, I’ve said Canada is the freest communist country in the world. If you don’t believe it....you’ve never had
your rights taken away or challenged.
Every
day, people are being tossed aside as if they were a used tissue after
someone wiped their butt. Is change
necessary....maybe but it is inevitable.
“The only constant is change”. I
don’t have an issue with change; don’t always like it but....it is what it is
and...that’s ok!!!!!
What
I do have an issue with is, when people discard people because...they can. The discardees seem to think they are immune
to being discarded themselves, but I assure you....one day....the path does come
to a cross roads. So, may I offer, when
you’re in a position where you’re discarding a person, think about that process. You may think you don’t have a choice, but
you always have the choice how you’ll do it.
Many
will say “its business” or “I had no choice”.
PEOPLE....people are the business.
People have choices. Choices have consequences. Without people, you have NO business.
People create the need. People
meet the need. People access the service
to meet their need. People, people,
people. People have feelings and REALLY
are the most important commodity for our race to exist. WE are not inanimate objects. Now...that isn’t to say people, when treated
with distain, can’t become apathetic and seem to behave like inanimate objects;
but how does this happen? It happens when
people choose to ignore the value of people.
Plain and simple!
And
the opposite is amazing! When people are
treated humanely....they give back graciously and abundantly; without condition. Being humane is the greatest gift human
beings can give each other. Being treated
equally – which is different than the ‘same’ – is also a right in our
country. We all reference the “Charter
of Rights” (Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Bill of Rights) and the “Rights of a Child” (United
Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child) as soon as we think our rights are being
challenged but.....have you actually read these documents? Do you have any idea where they came from or
why they were created?????
These
documents protect our rights to have our basic needs met equitably. They also empower us. It is our responsibility, to not only protect
our own human rights but to ensure, to the best of our ability, the rights of
those unable to protect themselves are also protected. We do not have the right to impose our rights
at the expense of another. If we were
acting as people....compassion would not allow us to do this. And yet...it happens every day.
Whether
its Government taking away our rights to quality education and health care, affordable
housing, safe food and water, the ability to care for ourselves via jobs, etc;
or the unjust acts of abuse within families where one person fairs better at
the expense of another, especially in the case of martial breakdown; or when
employers abuse, harass and threaten employees because jobs are scares....or
when the legal system uses a law to make an example out of someone rather than
looking at the bigger picture or worse...when the legal system can take
advantage of a person’s situation putting the person is a worse position. These are violations against our rights;
young and old alike.
It
is then, when it is most important for us as individuals to find the courage
and strength to stand in our truth. It
is our responsibility, individually and collectively, to protect and advocate
for our rights. It is our responsibility
to help others help themselves as they stand up for their rights. When we ‘do nothing’ to protect our rights,
we are actually doing a lot....we are surrendering our rights. When enough of us lose our rights, or worse
give them away....what is left. You can’t
unring the bell.
Protecting
your rights, my rights, OUR rights....does not have to be a ‘fight’ or ‘combative’
action; nor does it have to be a huge undertaking. Most often we can responsibly protect our own
rights and others’ by, listening to our hearts and then, acting with
compassion. Doing what is right, rather
than doing the ‘right thing’ can often be a more humane way to honour the
value, dignity and rights of another; and even better....without violating another.
Before
you act, you may consider asking yourself... “Will my action support or undermine another?” I promise you, if you listen to yourself, your
answer is there. You may not think you
have a choice for what you’re about to do, but....I promise you....you do have choices! Ultimately, the only person you have to
answer to is that voice in your heart.
That is the judge of your ultimate rights and responsibilities.
There
will be many issues that will require larger actions, political movements
etc. The same still applies. Individual voices speaking humanely together,
can and do, inspire and maintain positive change for all.
How
will you act responsibly, with and for your rights?
