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One of the more unusual sides to being human is how we develop philosophies and place value on belief systems above all else. If we are shown values as children, we attach ourselves to them early in life and carry them along, as a foundation for thinking, without question for a very long time.

Initially, these beliefs are supposed to be passed along to children from parents, relatives, peers, teachers, clergy and books. Beliefs can be as simple as respect or as extreme as believing that you are part of a superior race or religion. They also can be purely cultural.

If you grew up in Japan you learned that eating raw fish was normal, you bowed to greet people, and you always took off your shoes when you entered a home, and honor was revered above all else.

In England, you drank tea every afternoon and learned that the Royals were to be admired, even loved with a soap opera passion. If you were born into a Hindu family, you learned to worship many gods, each performing a different function, worshiping is a daily practice.

If your family was Buddhist, you learned to meditate and give thanks to Buddha for life’s blessings.

And not surprisingly, the cannibals of New Guinea still believe in eating their enemies. I guess that’s one way to get rid of them.

No matter where you travel in this wonderful world of ours you find customs and beliefs that are generally based on very old traditions. Our elders, through teachings of revered leaders, statesmen, religious icons or educated professors have handed down these traditions.

Some of these beliefs change over time to fit the new, better and more humane ways of living. Others are adhered to like glue, never to be challenged without the threat of major reprisal. Some of philosophies are accepted by modern countries and followed without hesitation. Other civilizations take a different view and employ ideologies that are totally the opposite.

Many of us would agree that most change is for the better and as man evolves he implements a better way of life for all.

Mankind seems to have a way of repeating the ugliness of history in large ways and evolving for the better in small ways. We get complacent and grow apathetic with time, naively thinking that the evils that were once conquered will never reappear. Then, we ignore the signs of them coming around again. Only when incidents that shock us and violate beliefs we have fought hard for do we regain our fervor to hold onto what we have accomplished.

Each generation has to learn it’s own lessons, at least here in America that seems to be the case. Unfortunately, we have stopped passing our beliefs down to our young. We have turned the job over to teachers, school counselors, day-care centers and experts of this and that. But how do we get back what we have already advocated to others?

If we truly feel we can help the next generation avoid the pitfalls the world has already endured, then we have to stop passing the buck.

Americans have the opportunity to show the world how, as a violent society, we can change our ways. We are looked at through the eyes of the rest of the world as a leader that can’t clean up it’s own back yard, and they are right. We don’t seem to have the guts to look at our own mess and say here’s what we have to do. We have been here before and we have solved our problems and we know what to do.

The generations of American during the first half of the twentieth century faced problems far worse than we are currently presented with. Through togetherness, a common language, goals, and hard work they pulled themselves out of the Depression and major wars to make America the recognized super economic power that it is today.

Can’t we learn how to take those well honed beliefs and build on them? Share our history with your children, so they can see what our forefathers and grandfathers accomplished.

As a people, only how we govern our own day-to-day lives and teach our children the valued ways of life will take responsibility, respect and love into the next century.

Yes, I said responsibility, love and respect. They are very basic ideals, but maybe we need to return to some of the basics and regroup before we forge on. I’m not saying that we need to find our way back to Mayberry, but by the same token, those times seem tragically distant and they shouldn’t.

Life was never as simple and easy as was portrayed by early television, but we all look to some of the values of those times as endearing and worthwhile.

Our beliefs will continue to evolve and improve only if we work on them openly and honestly. Constant re-examination of that evolutionary process and its direction shouldn’t be that difficult for the advanced civilization we profess to be.

Be old-fashioned, actually talk with your children, tell them how values work, and why they are important. Instill in them the beliefs systems that have worked, that give us courage, that make us strong, before you send them into the world to take on the challenges that we leave for them.

It isn’t a difficult task, just one that takes a little time and effort. You’ll be surprised at how good you feel sharing what you believe in.

In the end, it’s just one man’s opinion…mine.

Keith E. Renninson is a motivational speaker and co-author of the popular parenting tool and illustrated storybook “Zooch the Pooch, My Best Friend”. Through the 1990’s with much self-examination, academic study, bicycle racing, and mountain climbing, he discovered a renewed zest of life, which included a love of metaphysics, philosophy, humor, and writing and speaking. As Keith says, “Some days you’re the pigeon and some days you’re the statue…it’s all in what you make of it.” You can read more about “Zooch the Pooch” or contact Keith to speak at: http://www.zoochthepooch.com
Keith and his co-author Michael Conrad Kelley speak to teens and adults on “The Seven Simple Steps to a More Fulfilling Life.” This course focuses on how to build a successful Life Philosophy that works for each individual.

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