Equality

“I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”

– George Washington

Social media is full of pictures we take of ourselves and our personal confessions and beliefs posted all over the internet. We live in a society where self-importance is coveted.

Equality is a large issue in today’s society. We’re not just talking about racial equality or cultural equality here, but rather equality as a mindset and how we treat people in everyday interactions.

How often do we feel better than the waiter? The cashier? Students and teachers? Employees?

Just because someone is serving us or working for us or someone makes a mistake, doesn’t mean that we are the better person. Just because we may have accomplished more in our lives than someone else doesn’t mean that we should treat that individual any different.

We are all people of the Earth and we are all called to serve others, not just ourselves. This is a key aspect of the Unconditional Responsibility philosophy.

Just because we have different positions in life, different desires, and different ways of living doesn’t give us the right to insult those that are different than us and it certainly doesn’t give us the right to look down on others.

This is not to say that loving ourselves isn’t important. Of course it’s good to love yourself! After all, you are the most important person to you!

Yet, the simple fact is that no one is perfect and we shouldn’t treat others as if we are perfect.

Sometimes it helps to take a step back and humble ourselves and George Washington does just that in a short tale called “The Heavy Log,” courtesy of Bay Business Help’s website:

Once upon a time a rider came across a few soldiers who were trying to

move a heavy log of wood without success.

The corporal was standing by just watching as the men struggled.

The rider couldn’t believe it. He finally asked the corporal why he wasn’t

helping.

The corporal replied: “I am the corporal. I give orders.”

The rider said nothing in response. Instead he dismounted his horse. He

went up and stood by the soldiers as they tried to lift the wood and he

helped them.

With his help, the task was finally able to be carried out.

Who was this kind rider?

The rider was George Washington, the Commander-in-chief.

He quietly mounted his horse and went to the corporal and said, “The next

time your men need help, send for the commander-in-chief.”

The message here is clear: regardless of our station in life and our responsibilities, we are all equal and never too busy to help each other when in need.

Let’s all treat each other a little better. We are Unconditionally Responsible for the way that we act and are therefore obligated to help and to treat others with kindness and respect.

Sometimes the CEO of a company has to dust the cabinets every once in a while.