One of my Life Mentors, Dr. Harry Begian, whom I have written about before, had a saying that we would hear frequently in the Michigan State University band room: "You are very consistent with your inconsistencies." Funny, many of the "sayings" still running in my head today came from just two former band directors that I had the privilege of playing for.
I am continually amazed at myself on how consistent I am with my own inconsistencies. One of those inconsistencies has to do with respect - how I was taught to display respectful behavior, both physically and verbally and what I have learned about respect directed toward me. The two learning paths have not converged. My parents taught me to ALWAYS greet my "elders" by Miss, Mrs. or Mr. So-and-So, a habit that remains with me. At age Getting-Older, if I encounter a person whom I addressed, as a kid, as Miss, Mrs. or Mr., then I still greet that person that way......unless he or she instructs me to address them, after all these years, by their first name. On this I am consistent.
HOWEVER, as I have also previously written, I have learned that respect must be earned and that just because someone addresses me as Miss, Ms. or Mrs. does not mean that respect is present towards me AND I have learned that I can be addressed by my first name by a person, regardless of age, that holds me in the highest of regard.
Now for my inconsistency.
It makes me very uncomfortable when a person in authority is publicly referred to by her or his name by people who do not know the individual personally or even in a casual/social setting. I do not care if People-Of-Authority are young or not-so-young, they deserve to be publicly referred to by Miss, Ms., Mrs. or Mr. That is the way I was raised and, I suspect, that is the way I'll be when I take my last breath.
In conclusion, to be further consistent with my inconsistencies, when I make references to the Great Magician or the Great Illusionist, I write it with the greatest of respect.
Ancora imparo
