No person is more cheated than the selfish person

Think about this; When we are being selfish grabbing all of the goods or attention thinking that this is going to lead to happiness, we fail to realize that not only do we deny other people those things but we also deny them the benefit of the great feeling that comes along with sharing.

I have found that generosity and welcoming responses nourish the spirit within us. Not always easy to remember as I zoom down the parkway to try to get in front of the car in front of me. What’s the point? Am I going to trade saving myself two minutes on my commute home for an infuriated driver now tail gating me and the anxiety that lasts the rest of the way home?

What I need to remember is that all of life is fragile. Don’t take anything for granted. We need each other to have a good life and as Barbara Streisand comes into my head singing People, people who need people are the luckiest people in the world. I now know why. I see a lot of those bumper stickers that want world peace but ask yourself this; Am I being generous with those that I share this planet with today?

You can see a lot by watching

Things are not always what they seem

Every closed eye is not sleeping and every open eye is not seeing said the very funny and wise man Bill Cosby. Sometimes we settle into a comfortable living and have enjoyed the benefits of right living. Complacency may set in. Sometimes we lose focus and don’t see the little cracks in our spiritual foundations. That’s assuming that we have built that foundation. Maybe little secrets that we have been harboring have deadened our spirits a tad but the seduction of looking good on the outside has kept us from addressing core issues on the inside. This can be a serious situation that needs attention.

I know for me that when my inside doesn’t match the outside I need to become vulnerable again. I need to grab a trusted friend and share honestly what’s going on with me. I know this much. I don’t want to trade the genuineness of being known and loved by my friends and family for the appearance of everything looking absolutely perfect. It’s been my experience that this is not the time to quit or to continue to feel bad inside. This is time for renewal!  Do you see what I’m talking about?

Ask yourself today am I a part of the cure or am I a part of the disease?

This attitude has helped me get through many of life's challenges. I invite you to read about one such challenge here;

http://www.amazon.com/Heading-Home-experience-tragedy-ebook/dp/B007HOXC7K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336342333&sr=8-2

The Gift of Change

Change and Growth as gifts?

Yes, change and growth are the gifts that I’ve received as a result of stepping outside of my comfort zone and trying something different. I can remember something as simple as not saying anything to the cashier at our local convenience store when given the wrong change because I wanted to avoid confrontation. I knew that I had received the wrong change and it was making me mad but I would justify it with I’ll be late and I need to get out of here. As I would drive away the thought of revenge in the form of a brick through the front window would come to mind but soon that craziness would pass after a few antacids.

The lesson here that I learned was that I had to let small stuff stop bothering me. Just as the saying goes don’t sweat the small stuff. What I’ve come to find out is that it’s all small stuff! I also needed to stand up for myself and it started with a quarter. As my higher power would see fit it happened again! At the same convenience store. This time the cashier had shorted me a quarter. I stopped after taking a step away from  the counter, whirled back around  and said to the guy, “I’m sorry but I believe you gave me the wrong change.” To which his response was, “no I didn’t.” I thought to myself, OK God you’re not going to make this easy huh? After explaining my case the cashier agreed that I was indeed right and gave me my quarter.

That day I gained a small amount of growth that when practiced on a regular basis allowed me to see through the incompetent service person on the phone for the cable company, phone company, mail order pharmacy, or savings institution and ask for a manager! Now that’s a gift! Only ex- knuckleheads like me stop your (insert service provider) first line of defense. Today I stand up for myself so that I don't fall for anything!

 And as for that convenience store cashier who still tries to slip me Canadian quarters I look at him and hold my offering up as a proud symbol and say, “This one is going in the MS Society can.” And out the door I go.