I Can Be The Change...

...That I want to see in the world.

Lately I have been angry at the world, the economic mess, politics, religion, outsourcing to India, automatic telephone prompts...these things send me through the roof...or so I have let them. It got so bad in my head that all I saw was rude, mean, greedy selfish, ugly people.

Then at the dr. Appt. yesterday, I was outraged that I had to wait 45 minutes when the week before I had arrived 20 minutes late because I was lost and they made me re-schedule for this week! How dare they make me wait on them when they would not wait on me. I ended up being that very same rude, ugly woman and was unkind to the receptionist while I demanded my check to be returned and I walked out.

Today, I thought about my actions and I called that receptionist and apologized to her...without blaming my rash behaivor on stress or bipolar or anything else...just that I was sorry I had been unkind to her and would she please forgive me.

And today even, I was beginning to get irritated at the hairdresser for leaving me too long under the dryer while she chatted up a sales lady. And the thought hit me...the hairdresser said she was tired and she has a small child to go home to and that is not always easy...and so I decided to be understanding and kind instead of irritated. And my experience was much more pleasant.

We all need a break here and there. It's easy to jump to arms and say how crappy the world has gotten...but I think I was taught today...that I could be the change by changing myself. Instead of wanting other people to be like I think they should be...what can I change in me. Because if I chnge, the world seems to mirror kindness back...and if it doesn't maybe I had a little extra over in my piggy bank to give to someone who was just plain out!

This is nothing new and I have known this since a child at Sunday school...but I had forgotten. We are all just human beings with challenges trying to get by the best way we can. It is in the small ways, the small things we do that make the difference. I looked into the eyes of a policeman today and smiled...and he smiled back! I usually always avert my eyes from a cop...I don't even know why...but today I smiled and it seemed the world was a little brighter.

I can be the change I want to see in the world. It has to start with me. There is still beauty in the hearts of people and in this world...there is still hope.

ITA, Thanks for posting. :)