America’s ‘spoiled brat’ mentality
It matters to me
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
As I attempt to make the transition from being a carefree, college frat guy to a responsible adult, I always seem to find another one of life’s lessons in the strangest places.
This time it happened at a piano bar.
It’s not uncommon for a piano player to recognize active military members and veterans at some point during a show.
In the past, when this happened, I stood up and acknowledged the service of these men and women, but never had the connection that I have now.
I was at Willy D’s a few weeks ago when they called all veterans and military personnel to the stage. The piano player struck the familiar keys to Lee Greenwood’s 1984 patriotic tribute “God Bless the USA.”
As the song continued, I couldn’t help but think about one of my friends who left for Iraq almost a month ago. Until then, I never had a close friend or relative get deployed to the unpopular war effort in Iraq.
While the music played and the servicemen were standing shoulder to shoulder, I imagined my friend dealing with roadside bombs and eating Meals, Ready to Eat. I was sitting there, beer in hand, enjoying life while my friend was thousands of miles away fighting so I can enjoy the freedoms we all hold dear — even the most trivial freedoms, like the right to sing a song.
I would’ve poured a little beer out in honor of him, but he would have kicked my ass for wasting it. Instead, I starting thinking about how ungrateful I and other Americans are sometimes.
Our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, wives, husbands and friends are battling to protect our freedom and we complain because the price of gas has increased nine cents in the last two weeks.
Do you ever consider yourself lucky to be able to gripe about those nine cents? I’m sure there are millions of people across the world that would love to have gas prices as one of their biggest problems.
Even as I type this column, I am reminded of things I have that I take for granted: I can see. I can type. I can read. I can write. I have a computer. I have a job.
I am also reminded of acquaintances I know without those things. I know a blind person who embraces the way God made him and spends nearly every waking moment more concerned about others than him. I know a girl without an arm who only has memories of a full embrace with a loved one.
What has to happen for Americans to stop being the “ungrateful spoiled brats” that the rest of the world seems to stereotype us as?
A little over a month ago, some Arkansans found out. In the aftermath of the horrific tornadoes that claimed 13 lives across our state, I’m sure there were those that were grateful to have lost only a home or a car.
I guess my point is that I hear many more people complaining about things they have than appreciating the fact that they have them.
In this fast-paced society, when are we Americans going to quit complaining and enjoy the lives that my friend and many others are fighting for?
Sometimes it takes an event like a tornado or war to slow us down and make us realize how ungrateful we truly are.
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