Living in Entitlement

We obviously have an entitlement problem in this society. Everybody believes he or she is special and that life owes them something. We think we “deserve” an education, a good job, retirement and health benefits, happiness, and success. Those things have become so commonplace that people forget those blessings only exist with sacrifice and effort, even if it wasn’t their own work, and none of those things are due anyone.

Part of the problem may be kids growing up with eighth place trophies, being sheltered from failure and having sub-par effort being celebrated because no one wants to hurt little Johnny’s feelings. But it isn’t because Johnny isn’t special; he is, but he has been given the wrong perspective on “special.”

I believe each one of us is uniquely gifted in specific areas and commissioned with specific duties to deliver those skills and talents to the world. I believe there is entitlement, but it may not be how you think of it. There are a lot of people waiting and wandering, impatiently demanding the world give them their “chance.” If you still have a pulse, life is giving you that chance.

You are special, but that doesn’t mean the world owes you anything; it means you owe the world. You are entitled, not to receive but to give, entitled to deliver your gifts to the community around you. You deserve to give the people in your life the best version of you. You owe the people you love and those who depend on you the effort and sacrifice to discover and hone your natural abilities and the calling you were created to pursue. That is the entitlement with which we should live.

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