An ethical question

[Rich Kressly]

While there's a lot of good discussion here, I always thought Gracious Professionalism was about judging oneself against an ideal, not a tool to judge others. Woodie talks about "acting as if your grandmother was watching" and I don't recall him saying anything about judging others or their grandmothers from a distance.

The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in the Crypts of Westminister Abbey:

"When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world.

As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed my self first, then by example I would have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world."

Anonymous

From Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, p. 72.

In other words .... let's spend our time ensuring we as individuals are doing the right thing, setting the right example, and inspiring as many as possible. In the end, it's all we really have any control over anyway.