Blog 2

“If you want to be of use to others, begin by taking pains with yourself:  the fire that is to enkindle others should be lighted at home.”

I think this quote by Ignatius is something that is very true and important for us to realize. When it comes to relationships with other people, the way in which you interact is always rooted in how you treat yourself and how you were treated at home.  But, I don't only think that Ignatius only meant "lighted at home" as in your family or the place you call home, but home as in you yourself. The fire should begin with you, and the way you care about yourself completely determines how you will interact and treat the people around you. When Ignatius said "be of use to others" I think he meant it more in a way of "treating others." We are "at use" to people when we treat them with respect. We are "at use" to people when we care about helping them and when we make them realize we can be there for them. When Ignatius said "by taking pains with yourself" I think he meant that you have to take care of yourself and watch that you don't harm yourself. I think we are too harmful to ourselves and need to be careful with ourselves and realize that the way in which we view ourselves will determine how we view others. For me, I have always been seen as someone who treats others with the utmost respect because that is what people deserve. I know that it is because of how I was raised and how I was treated by my parents and the rest of my family. The interactions I had growing up in my household were all respectful. I always knew the correct way to talk to my parents and my siblings. I always knew the way I should talk to my elders and event the people that were my age or younger than me. I was always taught from day one that the way I should treat all people is how I would want to be treated.