SOCIETY

Life Lessons From Marshal Dillon

6 Ways to Make Our World a Better Place

If you watch the news, you might think the world is reverting to the old days of the Wild West. Each day there’s another story of innocent people being attacked, businesses and government properties destroyed.

What happened to people treating each other with basic courtesy and respect? If we could just talk with each other rather than at one another, opportunities for healthy, civil personal relationships could abound. Imagine how our world would look if people considered common kindnesses, or if we could trust people to do what they say they’ll do.

I grew up during the 1960s when there were still wholesome television shows like I Love Lucy, Gilligan’s island, the Andy Griffith Show and Beverly Hillbillies. Those old shows had innocent, fun and responsible storylines.

Comparing those days with our society today, I’m reminded of one of my old favorites, Gunsmoke. There are a few lessons I learned from Marshal Dillon that we all can still apply to our lives today.

Be True to Your Word

As a lawman, Marshal Dillon was a person of integrity. We should all have a desire to be people with enough wisdom to represent truth. We live in a world where nowadays, truth depends on “feelings” or whether they see others as worth being respected.

Today, when a person doesn’t feel like being honest, they justify their misbehavior by pointing at someone else…“THEY made me do it.”

Really? Why are so many people afraid of maturity and personal responsibility? The old “devil made me do it” excuse is a sign of weakness.

“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” ~Psalm 12:22

When we show ourselves true, we build important interpersonal relationships.

Be Kind

Marshall Dillon treated everyone with respect and kindness. In the show there were inevitable bad guys that would act up and he’d have to resolve their behaviors. If forced into a combative situation, he didn’t go into an overkill mode to cause harm like so many situations seen today.

During his day-to-day interactions with people regardless of sex, age, culture or infirmity he maintained good will. For the weak or underprivileged, he showed care even when the situation tried his fortitude.

A few years ago, I talked with a young man as he shared how his father lived on a disability income and still gave his grown son money from time to time. I was more than a little surprised when he said, “I’m gonna take him for everything I can get.” I have to wonder, where this behavior came from, the lack of respect and prideful declaration that he’ll steal from his own father.

Looking back at our regular day-to-day lives, how many times have you allowed someone to push your buttons in a grocery store, in traffic or some place where a few seconds really doesn’t make a sizeable difference? If not you, how many times have you witnessed events like that?

Were the unkind words or behaviors helpful in any way?

Does the person throwing out the wittiest, most critical statement, then represent a smarter, more professional person in control of their emotions?

Marshal Dillon understood a situation goes out of control when a person loses their own control.

We attract what we put out to others. So many want and need kindness yet are unwilling to give mercy or grace to others. The seeds of the kindnesses we receive are within us. What are we sowing to make the world better?

Be Committed

As the lawman of Dodge City, Marshal Dillon understood his responsibilities as a leader, and mentor. He also recognized his internal obligation to be true to himself as a committed citizen, friend and protector of those he loved and cared for.

With those responsibilities came times when he needed to act in negative situations that could end poorly. The marshal didn’t waiver in his commitment of responsibility. With that, he also didn’t have the latitude to pick only the suitable jobs.

Life and our world today pulls at us amid complications and competing priorities. How many times has a job task gone undone or given less emphasis because of something better to do?

What about commitment to family, friends, coworkers, or customers?

Each person is unique, and their box of commitments are filled differently. Marshall Dillon portrayed a person who understood that balance and maintained his obligations. Through his example, we can look at ourselves.

When life gets so busy with being busy that we don’t consider the cost of missed responsibilities, we become inconsistent.

Take Time to Enjoy People

Marshal Dillon enjoyed people. He sometimes had challenges with his Deputy, Festus. Yet, he enjoyed a laugh with him during a mentoring moment. He enjoyed his friendships and strong relationships.

Life today is full of uncertainties and challenges as if there’s some unwritten rule spinning in our heads that we must always kick the ball forward. If that continues for too long, the significant people in our lives will disappear and all that’s left is a ball on an empty field unnoticed.

The Marshall would probably say, “Stop the busyness once in a while and take time to enjoy people.”

Avoid and Resolve Conflict When Possible

Marshall Dillon wasn’t one to create conflict, but whenever possible, he sought to resolve disagreements in kind and peaceful ways with truth and respect for the other side.

Look at our world today.

Do we have societies of peace, or conflict? We know the answer.

Are the world’s conflicts successfully addressed and resolved, or are there factions trying to turn our world into anarchy? We know that answer too.

When either side of a conflict continues to justify unlawful action or makes demands rather than peace, that side becomes a responsible perpetrator of the conflict. When multiple sides do the same thing and avoid peaceful resolution… bad things happen.

Marshal Dillon had the courage to address issues in a peaceful setting. Every conflict starts at ground level and each party owns responsibility. If he were to mediate a conflict, he wouldn’t allow them to talk over each other to “win”.

This kind of stuff happens on news shows all the time. It’s no longer an informative discussion or debate, broadcasters turned away from civility and toward a fight night mentality for politically charged entertainment. When the focus is on one side to win in a conflict, the other loses.

Addressing a conflict in a calm and professional way requires intelligence and courage. Why are so many afraid of those two traits?

Marshal Dillon would seek to create an environment for a win-win situation so people can live in peace.

Stay Alert and Agile

I hesitated adding this part, but it’s important. Despite all the good we can learn from Marshal Dillon, there were inevitably times when an unteachable adversary could enter the scene. The episode ended with two people facing off at high-noon for a duel.

Disclaimer: I’m NOT advocating violence. There’s entirely too much distress on our streets. Yet, even in unpredictable situations, we can learn from Marshal Dillon. He maintained an awareness of threats and through his agility and courage, took fast action to protect himself and those he loved.

In our current world, there are people that focus only on what they want, and they want it now. The need for safety and security for you, me and our families are not the concern of self-serving perpetrators of violence. Through the selfish acts of others, innocent people become potential victims.

As a community, as a nation and throughout our world we should strive to apply the basic lessons of kindness and responsible living of Marshal Dillon. We should also maintain our health and be cognizant of our environment.

I’m not saying walk around with a big stick. Live your life, love those around you, be safe and take the right precautions when the world seems uncertain.

For years, I had a therapy practice in addition to my coaching. At least 85% of my clients were victims of violence. Given that, you likely understand my optic of the world today. I used to tell my clients:

“There are two kinds of energy: positive and negative. When you focus on the positive, live responsibly and treat people with kindness, you help push the negative away.”

I believe you are a good person that wants to see kindness return to our nation.

Our Path Forward

Let’s make a virtual agreement that we will each be true to our word. Kindness is part of our interactive process with those around us. We’ll be diligent in our responsibilities and take time for others. Like Marshal Dillon, we’ll avoid conflict when possible, but also be aware of its existence and prevent issues before they get out of control.

As a virtual team dedicated to bringing goodness to this world, let’s all earn our star together.

Some History of James Arness that Played Marshal Dillon

James Arness, the actor who played Marshal Dillon served our nation in the U.S. Army. He earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart at Anzio during World War II.

Later in life he talked about his time on Gunsmoke. He said, “What made us different from other westerns was the fact that ‘Gunsmoke’ wasn’t just action and a lot of shooting; they were character-study shows.”

Gunsmoke was more than a television show; it was a model of life.

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⭐️ About the Author

Anthony M. Davis is a Leadership, Success & Stress Coach, Board Certified Therapist, Top-100 International Travel Photographer. As a Coach, he helps people just like you overcome obstacles & reach their goals. His free book, “Keys to Your Success” is available now.

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