 I recently learned some parents use liquid soap in place of bar soap to wash their kid's mouth out when they talk back, use dirty language, etc. Dear mom and dad...thank you for not putting liquid soap in my mouth. Thankfully, my parents found other ways to hold me accountable for my actions.
Every day I go to work and I am held accountable for my behavior. I am called out when my actions do not align with the reputation of my hospital. Which means I must maintain a positive attitude, be kind to others, stay accountable...ya know, normal adult, human behavior. I am not allowed to be passive aggressive, much less aggressive at work. It is not tolerated. And on the really tough days...the days where the tension creeps up my spine, I still am held accountable for my actions. When I get really angry at someone, I am still held accountable. When I am wronged, I am still accountable for my reaction. And due to the fact I am a nurse and represent my profession both in and outside of work, most of these behaviors must be upheld regardless of whether I am actually working. Actually, this is sorta part of being an adult. (or it should be!) This is just a fact of life. Unfortunately, not everyone has learned this lesson. Over the past several weeks there has been so much media hype around inappropriate, aggressive behavior. From the NFL player who beat his fiance and then proceeded to drag her like a dead animal, to the college football star that used foul, derogatory language in reference to a woman....media has been flooded with examples of aggression in America. And honestly, it is comforting to finally see people holding each other accountable (to some extent) for inappropriate behavior. To the NFL player...whether you like it or not, you are a role model. You might think of yourself as just a football player but you aren't. And if you can't accept this, then maybe it's time for you to step out of the game. I'm fairly confident there are hundreds of men that would gladly step into your shoes, sans domestic violence behavior. Because what you fail to realize is you represent a large organization that is truly respected and admired by some: the NFL. Millions of people watch you play week after week. But they also watch you off the field...your spotlight is not only illuminated during regulation time; you are in the spotlight all the time. And you get to do a job every day that many young boys (and some girls) only get to enjoy after a day's work or on weekends. So you need to behave like the role model you are and learn to demonstrate the respect and kindness others deserve. And yes, this includes women. Proverbs 19:22 "What is desirable in a person is kindness..." To the Heisman trophy winner, please see above. You might not represent the NFL but you represent my alma mater. And in my book, that is so much more important than the NFL. (College football fan here., could care less about professional football!) As a FSU alumna and huge fan, you represent me. But honestly, your recent behavior does not come close to representing me. Not even a little bit. I understand you are young and inexperienced in real life...but it is time to grow up. You are in college. You are in the spotlight. Hundreds of people wear the number on your jersey and cheer you on. If you can't handle being an adult, then please stop pretending to be the face of our football team. Because our football team represents more than what goes on during the game...you represent our school: skill, character and strength. And as for your coaches, I will gladly give them a bar of soap to pop into your mouth. Maybe since you are acting like a child, a childish repercussion might do you wonders. James 3:2 "Those who control their tongues can control themselves in every other way." And to the men and women that are starting to hold these role models accountable, thank you. My parents (and bosses) have been holding me accountable for years and it is nice to see the same standards of being a decent human being enforced on those in the media spotlight. The support you have in taking a stand is significant. I spent the weekend in Tallahassee and wondered if our fans would stand up for the quarterback with the bar of soap in his mouth or the coaches and leaders that put it there. They stood up for our reputation and fully supported the decision to hold him accountable for his behavior. It's about time...and the feeling is refreshing. Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Football, accountability and a bar of soap, Ashley Lucille And Go Noles!
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A few months ago a dear friend reached out to me for some encouragement. She had recently married and quickly was faced with trouble and heartache. And as I listened to her story, my heart broke for her. I know all too well how it feels when your picture of perfect is far from perfect. And you are left with a crushed spirit. During those moments of darkness, there are no words to describe the feeling. The emptiness is almost unbearable.
So I shared a few words of encouragement with her although I was incredibly humbled and felt completely and utterly unqualified to be encouraging another. I thought, "what in the world could I possibly share with her?" Then my heart opened up and I thought of all the things I've learned through the dark times of my life:
And at the end of the day, you have to remember life is really tough. And the only way to get through life is to live it!!! But God doesn't let you go through a single day alone. To my dear friend--I love you dearly. I pray for you each day. And tomorrow is a new day for peace, love and joy. Psalms 34:18 "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." Frozen, forgiveness and a picture of perfect, Ashley Lucille |
Ashley Lucille
Just a few reflections about everything God is teaching me in this life...a journey deeper into His purpose for my life. Archives
November 2016
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