What are
some standards that are most important in your life? How did you acquire them?
Have they changed over the years?
In order to answer the above questions, I must
have a clear definition of the word standard. A standard is a rule or principle
that is used as a basis for judgment (dictionary.com). To ask what standards
are of most importance in my life is to ask what principles I grew up with. Growing
up my parents always taught me to be respectful, responsible, and honest.
The definition of respect varies to all of us,
but at the end to be respectful is to be courteous, and polite to those around
us. My parents always taught me to be respectful to my elders. A good personal
example of this is how much respect my brother and me give to our grandparents.
When entering our grandparent’s house we always greet them with “Buenos dias, Bendicion!
Como estan?” When translated to English it says good morning, we ask for their
blessings, and then ask how they are. We have always been taught that conversations
held between elders’ stays between elders. This meant that anyone young not belonging
to the conversation must stay out of the conversation, keep quiet, or go into
the next room to play. Like Albert Einstein once said: “Speak to everyone in
the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the
university.” Give respect and you should receive respect.
To be responsible is to have the capacity to
make decisions and be held accountable for the consequences of your actions. In
my perspective, a responsible person can turn out to be a reliable person. In
other words, the responsible person can be trusted with important matters
and/or decisions. It’s important to show kids the meaning of responsibility. Whether
it’s by giving them pet responsibilities or chores around the house while
growing, these small tasks can go a long way. Like my parents have always said
“To be responsible is to live honorably.” To live in honesty is to live with
honorable principles and intentions. My parents have always told me to return
what doesn’t belong to me, even if it resulted on me crying the rest of the
day. Finding a wallet full of cash in front of public place might tempt some of
us to not return the cash. Instead of giving in to temptation, I remembered what
my parents taught me growing up. Therefore, I went to the nearest police
station and returned the wallet. Like Thomas Jefferson said: “Honesty is the
first chapter of the book of wisdoms.”
Reflecting on my decisions and actions, I don’t
think my standards have changed over the years. I’m not saying I’m perfect but
I do try my best to be respectful, responsible, and honest. There’s times in
life were challenges might threaten or force us to change the way we behave and
act. I feel like even during these times I have maintained a good posture with
the standards I have been raised with and acquired over the years.
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