The other day, I wrote about thriftiness in regard to consumer fireworks. Thrifty or not, many will buy fireworks in the next few days, and that brings me to a second point.
Character with fireworks calls for consideration – the ninth quality on our list of character traits. Adults who use fireworks, and adults who supervise children and teens who will be using fireworks, need to teach and exercise consideration. We need to think about others and act in a manner that sympathizes with others.
First, we need to give thought to the _needs_ of others, and sympathize with those needs. Do families in the area where we plan to make noise have babies who will be awakened or frightened? Are there elderly or sick people in the area who may be stressed by the fireworks? Will the smoke make breathing difficult for neighbors? What about animals? Will there be a fire danger for neighbors? The needs of others should enter into the plan. Ask neighbors about their needs. They may not mind the noise, light, and smoke, and will have time to be sure pets are secure and small children prepared.
Second, we should respect the _desires_ of others. Not everyone desires to hear screaming devil fireworks. Not everyone likes loud noise. Many people prefer to live in peacefulness. Most people do not desire to be awakened after midnight by fireworks. In rural areas, we may have neighbors who moved from the city desiring little else than the ongoing luxury of quiet nights, with nothing more than the sound of a cricket. Talk to neighbors about their desires, and about the kind of fireworks you plan to use. They will appreciate it.
Third, we ought to take into account the _rights_ of others. The U.S. Declaration of Independence (signed July 4, 1776) states that one of our unalienable rights is “the pursuit of happiness”. For me, the pursuit of happiness may mean setting off fireworks. My neighbor may want to pursue happiness with a quiet Fourth of July celebration. Whose rights win? The man or woman of character will sacrifice his or her own rights to those of the neighbor. The fireworks can, after all, be set off somewhere else. Ask your neighbor how he or she plans to pursue happiness as we celebrate the signing of the document in which this was noted as one of three unalienable rights.
Character with fireworks means consideration of the type found in Pandora Puppy’s Caring Circle. Consideration and compassion are close relatives, and you can teach young children that truth with this enchanting book.
People around us have needs during the Fourth of July celebration, just as they have needs on other days. Consideration will stop and think about what might make neighbors feel bad. Will the noise do it? The lights? The smoke? Would a fire set by carelessly-used fireworks make someone feel bad?
A person exercising consideration will be able to feel with that neighbor and do something to help. Even if consideration means taking fireworks to a safe, dirt road or vacant lot – at personal sacrifice – the man or woman of character will do it.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?