I’ve thought a lot about this recently. Honor may have been valued in the past but since we tend to glamorize our past, it is tough to tell sometimes. But at least Honor as a concept appears to have been prevalent.

The overwhelming attitude these days does not seem to include honor in the decision making process. It seems to be all about “me”. I see evidence of this in so very many places but in my opinion a good example of this relates to COVID behavior.

Logically (wow is that ever missing from daily life!) I have to believe that the deliberate disregard of wearing a mask – and worse, attacking people for telling someone to – is simple selfishness. I can’t see any other reason! I think people are willfully ignoring the statistics and science – saying it is fake – because they want to justify their selfish behavior. Because what other possible excuse could someone have to not wearing something that could save another person’s life? No one is asking you to cut off a limb or sacrifice your child! They are simply asking you to consider the well-being of those you come in contact with on a daily basis. That just seems like a no-brainer to me. But maybe that is the problem. Some of us just aren’t using our brains.

Take, for example, the young people crowding bars without masks or social distancing. I understand that feeling of invincibility that it is so easy to succumb to when you are in your 20’s. But taking that out of consideration for a moment and assuming that they are feeling invincible – what about the relations of people you meet? Do you really not care if your selfishness kills someone because you gave it to someone who gave it to them?  Most people won’t admit out loud that they are that selfish – unlike that horrible woman who actually posted she doesn’t care if grandma dies as long as her kids can go out and play where they want. I can only imagine what kind of people they will grow up to be with a role model like that! What if it is YOUR parents or grandparents or child or grandchild that dies? Do you STILL not care?

The syndrome where it doesn’t matter unless it directly impacts you is running rampant in this country. The “me me me” attitude of get whatever you can, do whatever you like, and SCREW everyone else is pathetic! What makes it worse is that many people who profess to have faith in God and/or Jesus behave this way! The hypocrisy is mind-blowing! I see no honor in this behavior. But then again, people who are that selfish probably don’t value honor anyway.

Regardless of what they preach, they certainly are not practicing it! Like the utter disregard for the preacher in Louisiana who continued to have large gatherings without masks telling his congregation that God will protect them. Personally, I think God still expects people to use a modicum of common sense and respect! I’ve always loved the Arabic proverb reportedly said by the prophet Muhammad – “Trust in God But Tie Your Camel.” Basically, trust God but take precautions.

If you want to read the Sufi story, you can find it here: https://sufiway.eu/trust-in-allah-but-tether-your-camel/. Trust God – but wear a mask!