Maryland Eye Associates
800 Prince Frederick Boulevard
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(410) 535-2270
More Mental Health Articles
Love One Another
We are approaching another holiday season. December 25th is Christmas. Chanukah is December 21st through 29th. Hajj days are December 6th through 11th. The Day of Arafat is December 7th. Eid al-Adha is December 8th. The Islamic New Year begins on December 29th. December 31st is the last day of 2008. Christians, Jews and Muslims commemorate significant dates in their religious lives during December. As we enter again this special time of year, lets revisit one of the basic principles of these faiths.
All three great religions provide laws and rules for human interactions. These religions expound the basics of how we are to treat our God, ourselves and others. All three major religions teach the rules of civil behavior by statement of law, declarations of forbidden actions (sins) and through examples in stories and parables. Even those that are atheists or agnostics acknowledge the necessity for rules of civil behavior.
Adhering to rules of civil behavior enhances our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. If we, as individuals and as a society act without civility, the quality of life is degraded. Incivility causes an increase in STRESS. Lack of respect for others breeds a lack of esteem for self. As the quality of interactions with others declines, this decline broadens to the community and ultimately results in a general decline throughout our society.
To promote health, we should all practice respect for others, tolerance, consideration, kindness, self-control, tact, honesty, compassion, trustworthiness, and all of the other attributes of civility. When you go to the store, the bank, the physicians or dentists office you should expect to be treated civilly. And, you should treat those with whom you interact civilly as well. My mother used to say, its the little things that count. Those little things add up and produce the whole. Ill draw some examples of the little things from George Washingtons transcription of Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation.
1st Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.
6th Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.
18th Read no Letters, Books, or Papers in Company but when there is a Necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave
19th let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.
49th Use no Reproachfull Language against any one neither Curse nor Revile.
58th Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for tis a Sign of Tractable and Commendable Nature And in all Causes of Passion admit Reason to Govern.
83rd when you deliver a matter do it without passion & with discretion, however mean the person be you do it too.
86th In Disputes, be not So Desireous to Overcome as not to give Liberty to each one to deliver his Opinion
110th Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience.
Some examples from our everyday life are
Treat all persons with courtesy and respect (1st)
Be attentive to the feelings of others (6th)
Use not your cell phone in company when its use is offensive, rude or discourteous to others within hearing; (18th)
Use not profanity (49th)
Exercise patience with those providing you a service (58th)
Refrain from “road rage” for it will lead only to unhealthy results (83rd)
Listen to the positions of others and be open to reason (86th)
Demonstrate charity and thoughtfulness to others and turn your back on greed and selfishness (110th)
Practice hospitality (110th)
Discuss ideas rationally and refrain from making personal attacks (83rd)
Promote your health as well as that of your community and society. Let health grow in your community and in our society. Practice civility.
Other Articles You May Find of Interest...
- How the Fast-Paced Digital World is Affecting Our Mental Health
- Exploring the Unique Challenges Therapy Can Help Men Overcome
- Chasing Away the Winter Blues
- Trauma Counseling for Healing: Understanding the Process and Benefits
- 7 Key Steps to Becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- How the Online Adult Attachment Interview Can Help
- Understanding the Benefits of CBT