Spoiled

Photo by Nina Strehl

As I was giving Sadie a piece of pretzel while we were watching TV, Vicki declared, “You spoil Sadie!” My quick retort was, “I try to spoil you, the family, and people with whom I am in contact!” Sadie is 66 pounds of entertainment and provides me with free therapy. As an aside I love the Utube videos about “Stella The Yellow Lab”.

Spoil can have two meanings, one positive and one negative. The positive side of it is other directed. Vicki and I have stayed at The Ritz. The people who work there always go the extra mile, and they do it naturally as if it is no big deal. Whole Foods is the same way. Ask a clerk where an item is and they walk with you to its location. Most other stores direct you to the aisle and which side it is on. This is followed by “have a nice day.”

Jesus said, “If someone asks for your shirt, give them your coat as well.” We are at our best when we are living this out in daily life. During Covid 19, people who wear their masks are in this category. We benefit, but it Is for those we encounter as well to protect them. At one level we are spoiling them going the extra mile that is no big deal.

There are those who don’t wear the mask. The cry out, “You are infringing on my personal freedom. This is a pandemic. It is a conspiracy. It’s just the regular flu.”

Studies suggest that men wear masks less than women because men are more afraid of being seen as weak. Yep, another gender issue.

We need to infuse our culture more with the Golden Rule. “Do unto others what you would want them to do for you.” You and I are at our best when we are guided by this wisdom. You can have your freedom as long as it is coupled with responsibility like wearing a mask, honor social distancing, and wash your hands. I would suggest that people who don’t wear a mask are spoiled in a negative sense like the awful smell of your milk that has gone bad. They ae all about concern for self and not for others.

We need to think about our choice? Mask or No Mask? Being spoiled in a positive way is the perfect example of being part of the solution and not part of the problem.

There is an impressive word that you can use to wow your friends which they can use with their friends. Wearing masks, The Ritz, Whole Foods, giving your shirt and coat well” are examples of people who perform acts of supererogation. It means to go above and the call of duty. Say to them “I am wearing my mask today because it is a deed of supererogation.” When I give that pretzel to Sadie, her eyes say that word clearly SUPEREROGATION and a smile breaks across my face.