Think about it. Something may need to change.
I have a question. It comes from many long debates and various observations from the days that I have been around the in the world. It comes from the malls, at church, at school, any fine dining establishments, and various other places. It rises from the age old question of respect for others. The question that plagues my minds is this: Is chivalry dead?
This idea of chivalry comes out of the medieval period of the knights. According to Wikipedia.com, “Chivalry refers to the medieval institution of knighthood and, most especially, the ideals that were/have become associated with it throughout literature. It was also often associated with ideals of knightly virtues, honor and of courtly love.” These knights were held in high esteem and their actions were to distinguish themselves from the peasant class. Peasants were dirty whereas the knights were noble. From this comes the modern idea where chivalry pertains to a noble gesture to one another, traditionally male to female, however it can go between genders.
The primary example that comes to mind when thinking of chivalry is the one of holding the door open for another person. Although the concept of chivalry and holding the door open for a lady implies that you are trying to impress them, it can be turned into an act of humility by the one to partake in the action because it allows others to enter or exit the building before the holder gets to go.
Other examples of chivalry include helping another person cross the street, holding the hand of another while traversing rocky terrain, laying your coat across a puddle for someone to cross, taking someone’s coat from them when arriving at your house, helping with a chair at a restaurant, and more.
Now, I think of all these examples and the culture that we find ourselves in and realize that it seems that the concept of chivalry has died for many people. We find ourselves in a self-centered culture that puts “me” above everyone else no matter what situation we encounter. The need to impress has subsided [not that we need to impress people – our self-worth comes from God alone] allowing the need to be first at everything we do, even if it means allowing the elderly person in the scooter to get stuck in the snow bank while we rush by to get our Timmy’s on break.
Maybe it’s time that we put aside our own needs and cater to the needs of others first. Think of the words of Peter:
“Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” [1 Peter 5:5,6 NIV]
Perhaps it’s time to rediscover humility. Humble yourselves enough to hold a door. Humble yourselves enough to allow those who need to get to a meeting to go to the front of a line. Humble yourselves by sitting in the back row if you are tall and could hinder someone else’s view.
What would happen if we consciously always put others first? The only way to find out is to give it a try. See what happens, I challenge you.
*Originally Published February 8, 2006 at http://voiceofebc.blogspot.com
This idea of chivalry comes out of the medieval period of the knights. According to Wikipedia.com, “Chivalry refers to the medieval institution of knighthood and, most especially, the ideals that were/have become associated with it throughout literature. It was also often associated with ideals of knightly virtues, honor and of courtly love.” These knights were held in high esteem and their actions were to distinguish themselves from the peasant class. Peasants were dirty whereas the knights were noble. From this comes the modern idea where chivalry pertains to a noble gesture to one another, traditionally male to female, however it can go between genders.
The primary example that comes to mind when thinking of chivalry is the one of holding the door open for another person. Although the concept of chivalry and holding the door open for a lady implies that you are trying to impress them, it can be turned into an act of humility by the one to partake in the action because it allows others to enter or exit the building before the holder gets to go.
Other examples of chivalry include helping another person cross the street, holding the hand of another while traversing rocky terrain, laying your coat across a puddle for someone to cross, taking someone’s coat from them when arriving at your house, helping with a chair at a restaurant, and more.
Now, I think of all these examples and the culture that we find ourselves in and realize that it seems that the concept of chivalry has died for many people. We find ourselves in a self-centered culture that puts “me” above everyone else no matter what situation we encounter. The need to impress has subsided [not that we need to impress people – our self-worth comes from God alone] allowing the need to be first at everything we do, even if it means allowing the elderly person in the scooter to get stuck in the snow bank while we rush by to get our Timmy’s on break.
Maybe it’s time that we put aside our own needs and cater to the needs of others first. Think of the words of Peter:
“Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” [1 Peter 5:5,6 NIV]
Perhaps it’s time to rediscover humility. Humble yourselves enough to hold a door. Humble yourselves enough to allow those who need to get to a meeting to go to the front of a line. Humble yourselves by sitting in the back row if you are tall and could hinder someone else’s view.
What would happen if we consciously always put others first? The only way to find out is to give it a try. See what happens, I challenge you.
*Originally Published February 8, 2006 at http://voiceofebc.blogspot.com
The Author
- Name: Tim
- Location: Ontario, Canada
- I like pie.
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