I’m too busy is a statement that I hear a lot of nowadays.  Admittedly, I use it too.  But, my question to you is this:  does your hectic lifestyle excuse you from common courtesy?  Or better yet, IS it an excuse for temporarily forgetting your manners?

For most people, their jammed packed schedule is a product of their own doing.  For instance, if you choose to sit in on three different committees, chances are you are going to be busy.  I have a hard time sympathizing with these cases.  At some point, for your own sanity, you must say no.  It does not say anywhere that you have to be everything to everyone. 

For some people, work and family keep them hopping.   With most parents working full time, it is hard to find time to fit in everything.  As the kids grow, their schedules get more packed and complex, and we find ourselves running here, there, everywhere. 

But, in 2011, everyone carries a phone.  On most of them, besides the calling feature, you can access the internet, read email, and send text messages.   So, why is it that so many people fail to return a phone call, respond to a text, or even communicate with others because they are “too busy”?   It doesn’t take long at all to pick up the phone and return a call, even if it is just to acknowledge it.  It doesn’t take long to respond to a text message, even if you aren’t very good at texting.  If you are expected at an appointment at the hairdresser and you don’t show or call, because you are too busy, isn’t that rude?  Personally, I think that it is. Am I in the minority on this issue?   Granted, there are times that you forget, and in that case, I hope that you take the time to apologize and own your mistake.   But, to consistently fail to communicate with others because you are too busy….well, it is an excuse and not a very good one! 

Am I being too “Miss Manners” on this or do you think I am right? 

A school district in Iowa is holding a informational meeting tonight about a proposed change to the grading system at the school. 

The proposal?  Drop the A-F letter grades and instead use a “Standards Based System.  Students would get marks like “beginning,” “developing,” “secure,” or “exceeds,” instead of A through F.

Who actually benefits from this system?  In my opinion it is the student who doesn’t want to be held accountable.  In my opinion, it is the teacher who wants to push a student through.  In my opinion, it is the parent who keeps telling him/herself that his/her child will make it through ok.  Without much involvement from them, that is.   Is the term “beginning” more appropriate than “F”?  I don’t think so.  To me, if you see that the student is receiving a “Beginning” that would indicate effort.  So, what do we use for the student who puts no effort in and wants to skate through?  Surely there will be consequences for a student who continually receives a Beginning?  How will you know if they are not ready to move to the next level?

Why as a society are we afraid of letting our children fail?  How do you teach your children to work hard towards an accomplishment if there is no other consequence?  You either pass or ….I guess you still pass, in this system.  

I keep telling my own children that life isn’t fair.  You have to work hard because it nothing in life is handed to you.  Society is making a liar out of me.  There are groups of people working hard to make sure that no one has hurt feelings, fails, or has to conform to any rules. 

I look around our town and see an overwhelming lack of ambition and drive.  I see students going through the motions, and no one seems to care which way they fall.  I read what highschool students are writing about, and they can barely put their thoughts on paper and complete it.  I see local student athletes with no drive and no respect for their coach, team, officials, or themselves.  

I can’t help but wonder if this current group of teens is the product of playing nice for so long.  Were their parents so afraid of hurting their feelings that they failed to teach their children how to work to get what you want?  That there is always a winner and loser?  That is the game called Life.  Too bad that some of us aren’t playing the game – they are cheating at it and winning. 

When I was in highschool, I failed my beginner’s typing class.  Failed miserably.  Which is funny now because I am quite a fast typist.  I was devastated about the F.  Did I deserve it?  Hell, yes I did.  I couldn’t type with the blindfold on to save my life.  But, guess what happened after I brought that F home?  I practiced daily and eventually earned the A.   My parents did not tell the teacher how unfair it was – because it was totally fair.  I couldn’t do the work.  I did not meet the class requirements. 

I can also tell you that I never received another one – because I learned that hard work pays off. 

Would you rather see Standards based systems or you an old school points based A-F person?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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