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"If you accept; you teach." Selected from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" ( http://www.terrific-tabs.com ) by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)
11/02; 2/03; 3/03; 4/03; 9/03; 8/04; 5/31/05 CLICK HERE to go to the "FRONT PAGE" of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" CLICK HERE for ALPHABETICAL INDEX of this entire WEBSITE CLICK HERE to EMAIL your thoughts to the author The following axiom was quoted on a news program, in November 1998: "If you accept -- you teach." When I heard this quotation, my first thought related to the "rearing" of children. If a child is allowed to "get-away-with" misbehavior -- that is, if the parent "accepts" a youngster's repeated "malfeasance" -- then the "child" is thereby "taught" that the parent will not respond with an authoritative form of correction or discipline, or "punishment". Similarly, one can readily extrapolate this concept -- from dealing with "children"-- to consideration of more "mundane" matters -- such as the necessary discipline imposed by a workplace supervisor -- or a college football coach.... or a teacher in the classroom.... or even a circumstance in political and/or international relationships. If those who are "in charge" of a situation "accept" inappropriate responses from those under their control or "command" -- then the "subordinates" are quickly "taught" that they are not required to perform as directed -- and hence they may be more inclined to "expand" their under-performance.... or their "mischief". II. A second application of this axiom -- "If you accept; you teach" -- pertains to the demands that one must put upon himself.... for discipline; lifelong study and learning; control of personal habits; protection of health; spiritual development; and other things. If you do not take care of yourself.... there is NO ONE else who can do that for you. That is, no one else is responsible for your health and well-being and success.... except you yourself. If an individual "accepts" (of himself) faulty habits, lethargy, avoidance of exercise, refusal to control weight, procrastination, inadequate study-habits.... then he thereby "teaches" himself that his inadequate behavior is "all right". Then, failure and unhappiness and resentment and jealousy and "excuses".... are destined to appear, and to prevail. "If you behave in a certain way for long enough.... you become that way." These are the facts of life ! ! ! III. Now, consider this additional extrapolation to: "If you accept -- you teach." In your personal dealings with other people.... "If you accept" -- over and over -- then you "teach" and teach and teach.... until you find yourself repeatedly "yielding".... and then you find yourself weakening -- and tacitly encouraging and "supporting" that which, at first, you refused to "accept". Beyond that "weakening" -- there is another potential spiral-downward. If one continues to "accept", over and over (and hence to "teach") -- then that which is repeatedly "accepted" soon becomes a "RIGHT" -- an "entitlement" -- to those who are the free recipients of your "understanding", and your "leniency", and your "political correctness".... or your weakness. And then --- the phase of "dependency" may develop.... sometimes hostile dependency.... when the "receivers" of your largesse become dissatisfied because they are not being "allowed" more "rights" -- and because they are not being given more and more .... more and greater "benefits". Next.... the phase of "victimization" -- in which "benefit-receivers" complain that they have been "victimized", and intentionally held back in their situation -- by the "system". And so, the cycle starts again -- and repeats.... over and over.... sometimes for a recipient's lifetime. (Just consider, for example, the "welfare" system, and our "income transfer" process -- and the "public schools" -- and "SSI" -- and food stamps -- and child-care supplements -- and rental subsidies -- and on and on. How do YOU feel about these "social" benefits, that have inexorably developed in our USA .... in response to: "If you accept, you teach".) SEE related link What would Santa Claus and Robin Hood do? Remember, too, another basic and applicable Toddian axiom: "The more you give away; the more you take away." What are your thoughts about this "truth"? Now.... YOU extrapolate the following ANTITHESIS of the primary axiom: "If you refuse to accept -- you also teach." |