Thriving...in Spite of It

If I had a dollar for every awkward moment precipitated by rudeness among family, friends and colleagues, I would be enjoying a ridiculously lavish retirement on my own island somewhere in the Mediterranean, with a butler, a housekeeper, lady's maid, horses, cars, with tremendous works of philanthropy... In an age dominated by selfishness and self-centeredness, narcissism and nonsense, where celebrities proudly parade all their offenses to decent society, with the reward of awe and imitation, how can we possibly maintain any standard of decorum, even among the educated and supposedly civilized, when we have ever so gradually, but certainly, lowered the bar among Christians? Much like the concept of being "a good Christian," the concept of being a true lady or gentleman has been grossly misconstrued--even reversed. Both have been defined as having a sense of superiority, with a self-assured judgmental outlook, and snobbish demeanor.  In both cases, people--including th