A Question That Refuses To Let Me Be
You know, every moment I see people act carelessly, the pain that runs through my heart is one you couldn't easily bear with me. I have spent many years of my life traveling, whether on bicycles, motorbikes, or in various cars, moving from one place to another. And if you ask me what I have observed about our environment and our daily conduct, it is not something I can feel proud to write home about.
I often wonder how many people will see this, especially those who fall directly into this category. But does that mean I should keep mute? No, I am not convinced I should.
Even if no one speaks for the environment, for its values, and for my responsibility, I have chosen to be its megaphone. Because the question keeps ringing in my head, what good example are we setting for the generation that comes after you and me? Are we setting the good one or the bad one?
Anytime I happen to find myself stuck in traffic, sitting on my bicycle in a busy town, my gaze does not only rest upon the roads and the buildings. I am more focused on the habits of people, their behaviour, and the shortcuts they love to make. And for the child who watches closely, it is nothing else to them but a lesson they are picking from us.
Why Our Everyday Actions Matter More Than Our Words
Children and young people hardly learn from the advice they are given alone. They also learn by observing things. When we
- Throw rubbish out of the windows of our cars
- Bribe our way through trouble when we violate the laws
- Ignore the traffic rules set on the road
- Speak to others in public so disrespectfully
- And also cut corners because everyone else is doing it
We may as well think our actions are harmless. But then, to the child or young person who is the next generation, they begin to see such habits as normal. What do they do? They learn it, and so, they also do it.
You know, the development of a child is not only taught in our schools. The child's development takes part in the community as a whole. A child's development takes place in our homes, churches, schools, on the streets, and to some extent, in workplaces also.
The Environment We Are Handing Over
1. Littering, Pollution, and Carelessness
Despite all the health conditions that adults suffer because of the poor handling of the environment, we still fail to put a stop to the activities that cause harm to it. If we were to discuss the handling of the environment as a form of leadership, then that would be one of the poorest forms of leadership by adults ever.
- From the open drains in our vicinity, which we have filled with plastic waste
- To the burning of waste in residential areas
- And the amount of rubbish we keep dumping in our water bodies
All in the name of the rain will carry it away has become an everyday sight you will see in many cities that are now developing.
Should we blame it on the government or see it as a lack of education? But then, what about the individual engaging in such activities? Does it not occur to them that it is a bad habit?
2. Phones, Social Media, and Value
One of the other examples we are setting for the next generation unknowingly is how we relate to technology. The children close to us often see us:
- Scrolling and watching videos instead of spending time with them
- Sharing information that is not true without verifying it first
- Going so much after what is trending, although it does not serve any purpose in our lives.
Of late, I have observed a lot of children either crying over phones or glued to televisions watching videos that do not educate them in any way. I wouldn't be surprised to observe such since the adults themselves are addicted to phones and, as a matter of fact, cannot warn children about it.
3. Integrity, Honesty, and “Street Wisdom.”
When young people see adults:
- Cheat the system
- Lie their way through things to get ahead
- Cheer and enjoy, or celebrate the wealth of others without asking about its source
They begin to see honesty as an option, but do see integrity as just hearsay and street wisdom as the only way for survival.
The Good Examples We Have to Set for the Next Generation
For the good examples we have to set for the younger generation, there are many. Among these are:
- Using bins even when no one is around to watch you
- Obeying traffic rules and regulations even when you are late for whatever you're up to
- Admit your mistakes openly and always apologize when you are at fault
- Avoid glorifying shortcuts to success and many more.
Before you go
I want you to understand this, and clearly, no one on this planet is against a beautiful environment or a good habit. And since we can't wait for anyone to do it for us, we have to do it ourselves and not destroy it. It is therefore the responsibility of both you and me to make our living places, town, home, character, and lifestyle a beautiful, and a cherishable, and adorable one.
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