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"God grant me the serenity, to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."

We all know the Serenity Prayer, or we should, as it is so beautiful and profound.

I try my best to uphold the tenets of the prayer, however lately I have been experiencing so much unethical and poor behaviour that I am led to believe that something cynical is in the air, brow beating me into submitting to accept mediocrity and shoddy behaviour.

For example, the telephone company, I complain because my service is out and I really need them to come as quickly as possible to correct the matter.

After three days I have heard or seen no one, so I call again, the customer representative is clearly irritated at me for 'bothering' her with my trivial matter and has no qualms in letting me know this - in fact she invites me to call her manager! What is one to do?

Even in offices of government, I get the same feedback - I begin to wonder, "Is it me?"

Is something wrong with me to have the audacious nerve to think my opinion, my voice makes a difference? I wonder if anyone gives a 'hoot'.

Shall I just settle for less and feel defeated, hopeless and subjected to swallow crap?

Is it pure conjecture to even feel we, the ordinary people can make a difference? So what if the educational system is failing us and has been for the past Lord knows how many generations.

Be quiet

Should I just shut-up and allow it to happen? After all, who am I? Just a lowly, ordinary taxpayer? Let the powers that be, continue to handle me with disrespect and rudeness.

Is this what I am to accept? What is causing this type of behaviour that seems to be running rampant in Bermuda here of late - from all sectors of the community - they say the fish stinks from the headfirst.

Bermuda, we need to switch up our behaviour and our attitude towards one another. If not, we are going to have a lot more of what we don't want.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart - and that is the weakest of faith." (Muslim)

So I would venture that we are duty bound (if not horrendously and pathetically naïve) to continue to uphold the Serenity Prayer without falling victim to the evils of the devil by feeling defeated, which is what would be done if we don't fight back and make others accountable for their behaviours.

As for me, I will continue to be undefeated by speaking out against what is unethical and wrong. Bermuda, let us band together, allowing justice and equality to flow by just doing the right thing, lets just do it!

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