Always Dignity

We want to live and age with dignity. Always, with dignity.

But many of us are so judgmental that they disrespect others due to some mistakes in the past or unfavorable circumstances -- as if they do not have dignity at all.

Rick Bragg says, "Every life deserves a certain amount of dignity, no matter how poor or damaged the shell that carries it."

When I read articles published in UAE-based newspapers, I notice that when there are sensitive issues about a person/group, the writers do not specify the name / s unless he/they are a serious threat to society.  There is no name-shame thing. They just mention the regional origin, say, "an Asian man".  It is called respect in every life that 'deserves a certain amount of dignity' -- and it extends to family members who will feel hurt and get damaged despite their innocence if they do otherwise.

The government recently introduced a smart reporting program for those with financial problems, facing some minor cases and cannot return home due to a travel ban. It is solution-oriented and preserves the dignity of the broken ones so they can fix themselves, at the same time, reduce the burden of the government in court procedures and keeping them in jail.

One of the big factors contributing to an individual's happiness is feeling that dignity, that respect, from others and self -- which is priceless. And it is the opposite, disrespect and humiliation, which makes one sad, frustrated and depressed.

There was this rich woman who offered financial help to a high school classmate and friend who was in her struggling period. When the due date was near, she reminded her, "It would be a big deal to me if you cannot pay on time." She even charged 10% interest for a few days delay and would not accept partial payment. Long story short, she humiliated her beyond words, dragged her family members to issue, and finally collected the full payment. The interest charge which skyrocketed to 40%  was waived, but the scar left was very, very deep, worsened by her rude attitude, harassment, badmouthing and backbiting. She seemed hungry to suck whatever dignity was left in her former classmate's broken soul. The friendship died, but the lesson on humiliation has lived since then.

A married man wants to support a young lady who needs financial help to survive. He wants her to have sex with him. She may survive for a day, or week, or month. But for sure, she will feel humiliated for that offer. And if total darkness covers her mind and she says 'yes' to him she will lose respect in him, and in herself, too.

A child disrespecting a needy parent, treating him/her as a big burden for every help extended, does not feel the joy of sharing and paying back or forward. A child's arrogance is a thief of a mother's dignity. Sometimes a child, must unlearn things to know that dignity must not be taken away from the roots, as this dignity, no matter how small, can guard them as they walk to their final destination.

There is a social media video showing a girl who is rude to her father, a widower, and is not proud of him being a poor driver. Many times he gets hurt because of her bad attitude and disrespect, and it takes a toll on his health. The value of dignity must be taught at home and in schools because it is vital to happiness. Apparently, his father knows better than her. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be taken with painstaking excellence." Whatever labor his father did that did uplift her and others including his passengers, has dignity.

A sick wife writes a letter to her father, mother, and sister (all rest in peace) telling them that she wants to die, too. Her husband finally decides to retire after long years of working overseas but their savings are gone with the recent hospitalization bills. There is a sudden change in him. He does not respect her, says he regrets marrying her, does not help in home chores while she was in the health recovery period, and leaves her most of the time like she was nothing. If the relationship is not based on genuine love and maturity, there is no dignity -- hence, such huge sadness and depression. This squeezes my heart because all I knew was they had a marriage made in heaven as they exchanged marital vows at the right age.

Many politicians display philanthropic works with pictures showing how they help the poor for image promotion to be a strong influencer. For me, silent help is better. The value of your help diminishes as you announce it to more and more people. The needy ones want to live with dignity, too, which must not be compromised with self-centered fortunate ones' desire to gain popularity.

If those who need help would be offered helping hands with full compassion, without intent to promote one's popularity, many of them would step up, fix themselves, and in rebuilding their lives, they can build others', too. Along the way, they build their value, they gain respect, reinvent self,  protect identity and restore dignity.

If you look at the mirror now, and you ask yourself, "Do you think you are worthy of honor and respect?" Yes, you are worthy of honor and respect. I agree with Martin Luther King Jr. -- "Every man (human being) is an heir to a legacy of dignity and worth."

Always dignity is an ideal worth fighting for.  May we passionately mend whatever is broken in us, if any, and stay strong not to compromise nor surrender dignity.

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Photo credits:  Pixabay