Friday, September 22, 2006
A Rule That Needs To Be Kept...
It is Friday and it could not have come at a more opportune time. Last Sunday morning my wife, son and his wife, and I arrived at the Denver Airport at 9:00. We arrived in Greensboro Monday Morning at 3:30am without our luggage. The combination of jet lag and ’the longest day,’ (courtesy of American Airlines), has left us to meet our busy workdays in a dense fog of restlessness.
Which leads me to a life lesson I am still learning about- the hard way. It involves how we react to others. In my family, (my parents and more so, my sisters and I), we tend to believe the world revolves around us. Here are a few simple examples.
- I see an old friend for the first time in years and greet him heartily, “John how ya doin? Whereya been?” To which John replies rather curtly, “Hi Chip, Sorry – can’t talk right now,” and hurries off as if I am the plague. A week later I bring John up to my family or friends, “Who does he think he is? What a jerk!”
A week later I find out my friend’s company is bankrupt and he’s being investigated by the IRS. - My wife and I have a great meal together and watch a fun movie. At bedtime, she becomes agitated and fretful. To which I respond, “What the hell did I do?” I quit talking to her-well into the next day.
My mom calls and reminds me yesterday was the 8th anniversary of her father’s death. - A local blogger gets angry and misunderstands every thing I say. While I may tone down my response in writing, my face is flush with anger and I am ashamed- not at what he said or I said- but the fact I’ve let some jerk get under my skin again.
Maybe the blogger is going through a divorce, flunked a test, his dog died, he’s on the wagon, out of work, out of money…
We should treat people the way we want to be treated, that’s part of the Golden Rule. But I often forget that loving my neighbor means putting his needs in front of my own. That includes giving him or her the benefit of the doubt before I react to the way he or she treats me.
Comments:
<< Home
Hi Doc,
It is tough for me to reply to your requests if you have me blocked on your email and blogsite.
Have a great weekend,
meblogin
It is tough for me to reply to your requests if you have me blocked on your email and blogsite.
Have a great weekend,
meblogin
You're a good man, Chip.
Don't let those others get you down.
Ignoring them is usually good advice, but sometimes I just can't resist the temptation to take advantage of the way they leave themselves so wide open.
I need to be better than that. Why would I want to lower myself to their level?
Don't let those others get you down.
Ignoring them is usually good advice, but sometimes I just can't resist the temptation to take advantage of the way they leave themselves so wide open.
I need to be better than that. Why would I want to lower myself to their level?
Heavy sigh. Meblogin, you are NOT blocked (as I told you in an e-mail you apparently sent AFTER you posted this). I have enabled "comment moderation" (meaning I approve what goes up), and do not allow anons to post, BUT that's it.
For some reason, Blogspot periodically blocks/rejects comments on its own - I have gotten this complaint from even my boyfriend. You're not being singled out.
Back on topic, Bubba, I too sometimes feel compelled to jump in when (1) the door is wide open or (2) the gang-up stuff starts.
I think those gleefully bashing the "colorful" husband of a judicial candidate right now would do well to read (and take to heart) Chip's post.
For some reason, Blogspot periodically blocks/rejects comments on its own - I have gotten this complaint from even my boyfriend. You're not being singled out.
Back on topic, Bubba, I too sometimes feel compelled to jump in when (1) the door is wide open or (2) the gang-up stuff starts.
I think those gleefully bashing the "colorful" husband of a judicial candidate right now would do well to read (and take to heart) Chip's post.
Hi Chip,
My husband, Byron met you today at Brad and Celia's wedding. He sent me on a google search for you.
I enjoyed this post. I think we all have these tendencies, but some don't own them. Your post made me think of this prayer I read on another blog:
Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single father who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with his children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us not judge; let us be quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.
Thanks for sharing and it's nice to 'electronically' meet you.
My husband, Byron met you today at Brad and Celia's wedding. He sent me on a google search for you.
I enjoyed this post. I think we all have these tendencies, but some don't own them. Your post made me think of this prayer I read on another blog:
Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single father who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with his children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us not judge; let us be quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.
Thanks for sharing and it's nice to 'electronically' meet you.
Emerson- thanks for the input. Can't wait to hear your youngest play guitar. What an exciting time for your family! (Thanks the Lord she chose Bluegrass). Do you blog?
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]