subject: Respecting Authority [print this page] Leadership is a two-way street, loyalty up and loyalty down. Respect for ones superiors; care for ones crew, Grace Murray Hooper, American computer scientist and Naval officer.
Many have been in the predicament of having to respect a decision they didnt agree with. When a dispute ends, almost always one party is not satisfied with the terms, especially the one who was not favored in the outcome. However, as is the case with court decisions, respect and adherence to the ruling is imperative. It is commanded. What about non-legal matters? What about the young student who disagrees with the teacher? What about the child who knows his parent has punished him wrongly? Is it possible or even necessary to teach respect of authority even in these situations? The value of learning this lesson is incalculable. Being able to show respect even when no desire exists to do so is important. It could lead to more favorable outcomes in the future or even a reversal of the current situation. Children will want to know this and be glad they know it when they understand the good that can come of it.
Paolo Tiberis literary gem Chronicles of King Argoz, Prince Ultan and Princess Maya includes the tale The King and the Thief. In this tale, King Argoz is a king who wants respect but who hasnt earned it. He thinks he should be respected solely because of his position as king, not on his actions. As King he has instituted high taxes that leave his citizens destitute. The people are unhappy and not cared for. Yet, the King is surprised when he isnt immediately discovered when he goes undercover. When the King and his guards follow a man they witness stealing food, they step into his poor home and observe his suffering family. What the King sees sickens his heart. This family has no reason to show respect to a man that is supposed to be helping them and overseeing their prosperity. But when the Kings presence is revealed, the family puts the King to shame.
Just as he was about to speak, one of his guards revealed their Regal Seal The family knelt as swiftly as possible and bowed their heads to the ground.
I believe this homage, even in the most destitute situations, added to what the King was already feeling with his new emotions. The family probably knelt in fear, but they still knelt. The mother could have raged and screamed and even cursed the ignorant King, but she did her duty and bowed before the monarch. The fact that he was King generated him respect, indeed, but he didnt know how these people could live the way they did and still find it within themselves to kneel in respect to the very one causing their suffering.
Do we obey the not-so-loveable teachers and elders in our midst? Do we swallow our pride and submit to established authority? Respect, in general, is something that has gone to the wayside in recent generations. Kids are allowed to talk back and storm out of a room with no consequence.
Respect must be instilled, and it must be shown and earned. Children need to realize that to gain respect they must give it. These people had no respect for their king, but still, even though their suffering, when he was revealed to them, they bowed before him humbly. When a child can learn to retain his annoyance and humbly submit to punishment or guidelines he knows may not be perfect or justified, he is opening up an opportunity to be heard on the matter at a later date. Because the family was humble, the Kings heart continued melting and he learned the lesson he needed to learn to become the King his country needed. When a child, or adult for that matter, can learn to submit, it may be their voice leadership seeks for insight into a situation in the future.
Chronicles of King Argoz, Prince Ultan and Princess Maya is the first of a series of riveting books in the Legends of Altai series by renowned self-awareness expert, Paolo F. Tiberi.
The book is revolutionary as it teaches kids respect, life lessons and values through storytelling, a language that all kids can understand.
The Legends of Altai is intended as a Life Manual for children and has been described as 'The Secret meets The Alchemist and the Chicken Soup for the Soul' rolled into one.
If you would like to get a FREE chapter showcasing the book narrative style and storytelling, please visit http://www.legendsofaltai.com
The book is available now through Amazon and the official website http://www.legendsofaltai.com
For more information on the author please visit http://www.legendsofaltai.com/pages/about_paolo_tiberi.php
