RESPECTING YOUR ELDERS

Assalamualaikum w.b.t...Thank you to the chairman, the honourables judges, friends

in the floor, teachers and all the audience..The purpose of I’m standing here today is to
deliver a speech about “Respecting Your Elders”.

What do we mean when we say new generations have lost respect? Is that happening
related to their attitude or manners that have they showed to old generations or wrong way of
raising our children nowadays? Respect is another way of showing love. Confucius says that
“Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts”.

Respect towards elders or any person as a matter of fact is about honouring or holding
in esteem an individual. It implies regarding an individual as a person of value and virtue. We
all expect respect from others. But then we do actually respect others? For instance because
we are adults, we tend to take our parents for granted. We tend to get irritated by every
suggestion they make simply because we think that we can never be wrong. We tend
admonish them or ignore them. We do not realize that our children copy or rather mimic us.
They then treat us the same way.

Apart from this even the way we address the servants, is the way our children will
address them too. While your servant is hired by you and you have every right to give them
orders the way you want, realize that they are still elders for your children. When you ill-treat
or talk with disrespect to your servant, your children do the same thing.

As a parent, we have to teach respect to children and adolescents. No, it does not have
to be taught explicitly like many other academic skills. However, we have to teach it through
everyday actions and by providing our children with the knowledge base that will support
respect for others.

One aspect that we have to overlook is also the way we talk about people in front of
our children. For instance, when we bad-mouth somebody in front of our children, they
overhear our conversation, disrespect that person and put us into an embarrassing situation.
So it is very vital that we watch our own actions and words in the presence of our children,
otherwise it will spell trouble not only for us but also for them as there would be nothing
beyond disrespect in the dictionary of upbringing.

No matter how infrequently and frequently you come in contact with an elderly adult
is important to show respect. Respect for their ability to have achieved the classification of
elderly. Respect for the life they have lived. Respect for the knowledge they have and the
knowledge they share with others. Whatever your age you can learn from the ones who have
successfully passed the age you are now.

Besides that you must always remember that what an elderly adult has in their mind is
greater than what’s in yours. Life experience is the truest form of education. The eldery you
meet have lived through things that you will never experiences can only enrich your mind.
Your elders have lived a lot longer than you which mean they have probably grown very
wisely or very cranky. Listen to what they have to offer because if you don’t , they will
mostly likely berate or guilty you. They have the time to do it!. Of course you need not to
take their advice or take it. They are people just like you. Don’t treat them otherwise.

Don’t forget to offer to help them. They will appreciate any assistance you’re willing
to give them. Ask to help carry groceries in, hold a door open or something else that is simple
but genuine. Always use basic manners such as a simple please and thank you which can
mean a lot. As a younger, you must always be polite and sincere to your elders.

In the wise time, ask them about their childhood or how things were in the past.
They’ll be happy that you’re interested and glad to tell you all sorts of cool stories. Don’t
forget to offer to read to them or maybe even have a cup of hot tea together. The person will
love you company and you’ll both find a pal.

With the age, people sometimes lose their logic and reasoning. They may be confused
as to why you are associating to them. Gently remind to them of who are you and your role in
their life. They will appreciate the reminder and like you more.

As a parent, you are responsible for moulding a citizen of tomorrow. So even respect
towards society and one’s country is taught at home and not elsewhere. A child’s life begins
at home and ends at home each day and so what he becomes depends on what his parents
make him.

That’s all...Thank you for hearing my speech for this morning.