“I want that bear, Mom!” I was entitled!

Once upon a time, on a warm summer day, I, a nine-year-old boy named Josh, found myself at the county fair with my family. The vibrant atmosphere filled with laughter, the enticing aroma of cotton candy, and the allure of exciting rides created an atmosphere of joy. Little did I know that this fair would teach me a valuable lesson about entitlement.

As we strolled through the fairgrounds, my eyes locked onto a gigantic stuffed teddy bear at one of the game booths. Determination surged through me, and without a second thought, I tugged at my mom’s arm, insisting, “I want that bear, Mom!”

My mom, attempting to reason with me, calmly said, “Josh, we can’t spend all our money on games. Let’s enjoy the fair together.”

But I wasn’t having it. My entitled attitude kicked in, and my demand for the teddy bear grew louder and more insistent. My mom, feeling the pressure of the public gaze, reluctantly handed over a wad of cash for me to play the game.

As I approached the booth, my entitlement transformed into arrogance. I brushed off the instructions from the game attendant, convinced that victory was inevitable. I confidently tossed the hoops, fully expecting the teddy bear to be mine.

To my surprise and the watching crowd’s amusement, every throw missed its mark. The teddy bear remained just out of reach, and my confidence crumbled. I turned to my mother, who wore a mix of frustration and disappointment on her face.

The fair, meant to be a source of joy, became a humbling experience for me. The lesson was crystal clear: entitlement doesn’t guarantee success. My insistence on getting what I wanted without considering the consequences only led to disappointment. The fair, which was supposed to be a delightful adventure, turned into a platform for a crucial life lesson about humility, gratitude, and the importance of appreciating the journey rather than fixating on the destination.

As my family continued to explore the fair, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own experience. It served as a reminder that genuine happiness comes from appreciating the present moment, being grateful for what we have, and understanding that entitlement is a hindrance to true fulfillment.

The Kindergarten Mural

Back when I was in kindergarten, I thought the world revolved around me. My name is Josh, and boy, did I have a serious case of entitlement. I was used to getting my way at home, where my parents would bend over backward to fulfill my every whim. Little did I know that the real world, or at least the kindergarten version of it, would teach me a valuable lesson.

The trouble began when we were given a class project to create a collaborative mural. Each of us had to contribute a piece to the overall artwork. Now, I was convinced that my ideas were superior to everyone else’s, and I didn’t hesitate to let my classmates know it.

When the teacher announced the project, I immediately insisted that my design should be the centerpiece. I argued with my classmates, dismissing their suggestions and acting as if my artistic vision was the only one that mattered. To my surprise, my teacher, Mrs. Johnson, (no relation), didn’t indulge my demands.

As we started working on the mural, my entitled attitude didn’t sit well with the other kids. They grew frustrated with my bossiness and decided to work on their sections without me. The more I pushed, the more they resisted. It wasn’t long before I found myself isolated, surrounded by blank stares and disapproving glances.

Mrs. Johnson, a wise and patient teacher, pulled me aside and gently explained that kindergarten was a place for sharing, collaboration, and respect for others’ ideas. I was stunned. No one had ever told me that my way wasn’t the only way before. It was a tough pill to swallow.

Realizing that my entitlement wasn’t going to work in this new environment, I begrudgingly apologized to my classmates and tried to work together with them. Surprisingly, they welcomed me back into the group, and we managed to create a beautiful mural that combined all our ideas.

Kindergarten taught me that the world didn’t cater to my every desire and that cooperation and respect were essential for success. It was a hard lesson, but one that stuck with me as I navigated through the challenges of growing up. From that day forward, I began to understand the importance of considering others and working together – a lesson that would serve me well beyond the colorful walls of our kindergarten classroom.