I've been thinking lately about "our fading civility" to borrow a title from the book Standing for Something by Gordon Hinckley. I agree that it seems as if, especially with the rising generation, that personal honor is discounted. The general attitude is that the less I care, the tougher I am, and the more selfish I can act, the more impressive I am. What a lie!
The truth is that the more civil we act, the less apt we are to be "carried about by every wind" of attitude and clashing opinion and contention. Civility is a virtue of caring for others simply because we are all brothers and sisters of a common humanity, even a common ancestor. Civility prompts consideration for others and is only superficially shown with politeness, something that has been mostly cast aside in our "post-modern" era.
I believe change on a large scale begins with a single person. Like the "wave" at a football game. Maybe a few friends get together to start the wave, then the next people in line continue, with the wave only dying when some fans are less enthusiastic.
Well, there isn't any difference when talking about virtue or civility. One person can start it, and with enough patience that individual sets an example that inevitably ripples across the throngs that come in contact with that person. All the while, the Light of Christ sheds light on the whole occurrence, opening the eyes of understanding to those who see the example. One person can definitely make a difference, yet our society tends to teach an opposite doctrine: that we need something, an "it" factor to change the world. A great calling in life would be to set an example of purity, virtue, and civility in a world that needs it.
