Doug Van Pelt

RANCH

Don and Paul end up at a ranch where they work and spend the summer. Paul is in his element, as he's worked here before. Don is suddenly the "new guy," who has to be informed and brought up to speed about everything -- including the sneaking around and pitching a tent part.

I wonder about the little things. I think it's wise to "not sweat the small stuff," but I wonder if there's a point where we take advantage of this "grace area" and become moochers and law breakers. The adage of "he who is faithful with little..." comes to mind. Being nitpicky and disciplined about even the very small, minute things can be very good and beneficial.

The problem comes, I think, when we assume that our little list of small little rules for living somehow become appropriate to share and become rules for someone else. We, of course, take on the responsibility of enforcing these rules on someone else. And that's where it all goes wrong.

It can be funny how sneaking around and bending rules can entertain. An example might be jumping on picnic tables and playing air guitar or making a lot of noise in a restaurant. There might be a time where that is no big deal. People (young or old) are just "being kids."

The rub comes when someone with a different rule meter is part of the gang. The pushing of the rules from one to another can be sad; just as the disregard for another person's convictions can be sad.

I'm not at all upset about Don and Paul camping outside of the regulations, but it just reminded me of this subject.

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at December 18, 2006 10:24 AM