Looking back over the several posts of mine, I realize by now, I have probably offended almost everyone at least once. Whether it is because you drive a big pick up, or let your kids draw on restaurant tables, all of you have probably felt my rants were directed at you at one time or another. I can guarantee you they were never directed at any one person, but I understand how they could've been taken that way.
My arrogance never ceases to amaze me. I find myself thinking I have the ability to accurately judge others when I know very little about them (See previous post about icebergs).
This past Saturday, while in the Tulsa airport, I noticed a young father with a two year old. The two year old was on a leash which I have never liked. I feel like they are demeaning to a child to lead them around like a terrier. I watched with disgust and wondered about things I could say to him if we crossed paths. "Cute boy, what breed is he?", "Aaaah, what tricks can he do?" etc.
As I got close to the gate to enter the plane, I could see there was more to this man's story than I had known. Not only was he traveling alone with a two year old, he also had a baby in a carrier, a carseat for the boy, and a carry on bag to keep them entertained. He looked like a pack mule boarding the plane with all this in tow. Luckily for him, the other passengers were much more caring for a fellow human being than I was. The people around him stepped up and offered to help, grabbing whatever they could to ease his burden. I sat there ashamed of the way I had looked at him only minutes before. As we got off the plane, I carried some of his things in an effort to repent partially for my earlier idiocy.
If I were in his shoes, of course it would have made sense to tether the 2 year old. In case he ran off, there was no way I could've run after him. The father was wise. I was not.
Will I ever learn to just deal with the things I can control and that are part of my life?
Random Observations on Life
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7 comments:
Never criticize another until you walk a mile in his shoes. Then if you offend him you have a mile head start.
I like it Glen
I love your perspective on life. I have learned a lot and feel I am a better person by reading your entries. For the record, you have NOT ever offended me in any of your posts. After a lesson in RS many years ago, I learned that we should not be easily offended... I have tried since then not to take anything personally ... after all, being offended is a choice we make to let things get to us. Saying all that, I still feel nothing you have said was ever aimed at me or anyone in particular. It is a blog... where you air your frustrations, dreams, aspirations, anecdotes, etc. It is one of my favorite blogs I keep track of on my bloglines.com.
You certainly haven't offended me in any of your posts---in fact I learn alot from them. You have great wisdom, so keep your ideas and thoughts coming.
The old lady in ER
I love it when we as people are willing to share our weaknesses with each other! Makes the world seem so much friendlier!
I loved your post so much that I wrote a post about it!
In re-reading my post about your post I'm not sure I got my point across about how much I loved your post and how much I learned from it. It really made me think about how I view others and how my words and actions affect others for good and bad. Thanks!
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