Today I witnessed three able-bodied men in suits press the
handicap button to open a door automatically.
The door did not open, and the men just stared at the door, like,
“what’s the matter with you?” They stood
and stared, for what seemed like five to ten seconds. Finally, after realizing I was waiting to get
inside after them, one of them grabbed the door handle and pulled the door
open.
I chuckled to myself about the whole ordeal. It’s kind of funny, but at the same time,
it’s not. To me, it’s indicative of what
a lazy society we have become. We’d
rather push a button than pull a door open.
Technology is great, don’t get me wrong, but we take for granted simple
things in life that we are more than capable of doing, if we aren’t afraid to
put forth just a little effort.
Sometimes, I think that’s how we are when we are faced with
something new. We are afraid of the
unknown, so we act helpless and get paralysis by analysis. If you get an email with instructions in it,
do you immediately ask someone what you’re supposed to do? Or, do you make an honest effort to read the
email and follow the instructions first?
I tell kids all the time, your ability to read and follow directions and
your effort in attempting to do so can take farther than you might realize in
life.
When you have the option of taking the stairs or the
elevator, which one will you choose?
Shea - ICAN Hiawatha Center
