When I was in elementary school we received a citizenship grade right along with Math, Science, and English. I remembered it being kind of a surprise the first time I noticed it because unlike the subjects learned in school, this one was never explicitly taught. Nonetheless it was being graded all the time with the teacher’s watchful eye. Your classmate drops a book and you pick it up and hand it to them? Noted. You don’t allow someone else their turn or don’t include them in your game? Noted. You follow or don’t follow classroom rules? Noted. And at the end of the quarter when your teacher is submitting grades, they do some reflection on how you behaved and they subjectively submit a grade for your behavior. As simple as that you’ve been told very concisely how well you are treating the people around you.
Eventually you stop receiving citizenship grades in school, but let’s suppose that even though there isn’t a teacher watching you and assessing you quarterly, the world is. You aren’t anonymous, people notice you and your actions, and your actions say a lot about you. A low citizenship grade is nothing to take lightly, it typically means there is an important underlying issue that is causing this person to act out. They aren’t well, they need empathy even though you’d like to get as far from them as you can.
Assess yourself, what grade would you give your citizenship? If you tell me that you are much better than everyone else I would give you a low grade for lack of empathy, and chances are you’re causing a lot of trouble. The right approach is to realize everyone is going through their own set of circumstances and you should live a life of empathy, patience, and kindness. They deserve it, but more importantly, you deserve it. The peace you can find when you project love to others is life-changing. Yesterday’s entry in Tolstoy’s Calendar of Wisdom notes that Jesus says to love each other as he has loved you. Judging, cursing, and driving aggressively is not loving each other. We’re all in this together and come from the same template. When you go out in the world look upon others as if they are your flock, it is your responsibility to care for them and make sure they are safe. Feel love for others and see how that feels. Can you do it? If you can, I know your citizenship grade will improve.
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