Lebanese, we need to respect and love one another

I get an ear ache whenever I listen to the news, in fact my soul cries out 'enough!' when I listen to the ever loud, ever accusatory tone of the Lebanese populace on the TV news protesting against, decrying or demanding one thing or another. There is always someone to blame, someone deserving of condemnation and insults, people seem to see fault in everyone but in themselves. I see this meanness in practice in living colour every day on the roads. The road rage, the bullying, the utter disregard for other road users all of which has been steadily getting worse the closer we get to the FIFA World Cup and as the vacuum in the top job, the presidency, drags on, and as the economic pressures increase.

People seem to lack any self control. Of course this is not news, just watch the Lebanese put on the feed bag on any given Sunday at any one of the popular weekend eateries and you can see that gluttony and self indulgence is a common affliction of this nation.

I can't see a solution to our persistent and perennial issues without first embracing one basic principle: respect; respect for each other, of course, but also self respect. We need to see absolute value in our own lives independent from any external praise or recognition, keeping in mind that recognition and praise in Lebanon has less to do with merit and more to do with other considerations. It is crucial for the young to develop a healthy sense of self respect and self regard which requires a strong moral fibre and strength of character instilled in them by their parents and their schools. This would allow them to overcome the never ending psychological battery they sustain daily from society which shatters self confidence and the creative spirit.

We need to respect each other's views, opinions and beliefs. Sadly, I don't see that happening any time soon without an  effective campaign and a serious civil society effort geared at producing a companionate, respectful and kinder society. Let the politicians do battle on our screens, we don't have to join them!

We really need to stop complaining, demanding our concerns be placed above others' concerns, and we need to start to do good even if we get no benefit or recognition from our actions. If we think the system is broken then we should try to fix what we can in our own behaviours and actions. If we feel laws are not being enforced effectively with the full force of law, then we should follow the rules more rigorously and especially in the absence of an enforcement authority on the ground.

I see cars on the roads with Gulf license plates driven by Lebanese expats breaking the law more intently than many local residents driving on the roads. I ask myself what are these people thinking when they drive the way they do. The fact is they know they are driving in a country were people do not respect the rules and do not respect each other. As such, expat drivers would be loathed to show any respect for other road users.

Bad driving is just a very visible symptom of a deeper and more serious affliction which is lack of respect and love for one another. If the Lebanese don't start loving each other, caring about each other, being genuinely happy for another's success instead of lashing out, then what is the point of our society, we might as well live in a jungle.

But despite what a few might secretly wish for, we are still a society capable of great feats of personal and national triumph and reinvention. We first need to recognise that we aren't the greatest and the best, we are far from that ideal, but we also need to know that we can achieve greatness if we work hard on ourselves instead of wasting our time complaining.

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