Yesterday, I was not having a good time. Having a conversation with a cousin, I went into my usual mode of sharing information. And I was very excited, thinking I had a person who had similar ideas.
But, typical for my logic-filled head, I didn’t stop.
And, in a typical response, I was shut down from continuing.
It made me sad to think I’d overstepped someone’s boundaries…again. Quickly, it grew into a pity party, and I went to bed terribly upset.
Small acts of kindness…
Seeing that even our conversation had devolved before evening, my granddaughter grew quiet. And she got to work doing something.
I got up in the morning to find this in my fridge:
She had baked me a little cupcake and snuck it in my refrigerator while I slept.
Compassion…
Little acts of kindness show the depth of a person’s character. Compassion shows up where true Charity resides in the heart.
I was reading an article written by Jeff Minick) entitled, “Rules of Civility” (reprint of the article by another blogger). He wrote well, describing the term and how it is enacted in relationships.
We don’t hear that word much these days. My online dictionary defines it as “formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.” Come to think of it, we not only don’t hear much about civility, but we also don’t see much formal courtesy exhibited by most of our public figures or even by some of the people we encounter in everyday life.
Instead, ‘Do your own thing’ and ‘Be yourself’ seem the watchwords of our age…
Washington’s first rule introduces this principle of proper behavior: “Every action done in company ought to be done with some sign of respect to those that are present.” His last rule, #110, reads as follows: “Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.”
Jeff Minick, https://www.theepochtimes.com/rules-of-civility-some-advice-from-the-past-and-the-present_4334021.html
Observation…
Looking around us, we can see that our civilization lacks in this once-common trait. Parents buy toys displaying a pile of poop. Games use vulgarities in their card games that families play. Clothes are worn inappropriately and without décor – pajamas while shopping, bra straps brazenly displayed under thin-strapped tops, underwear prominently displayed above pants that have fallen to the knees, graffiti on all parts of the body, family meals at restaurants entail each person attached to their electronic device.
We no longer have the civility to treat each other with dignity, let alone acknowledge their existence.
Courtesy…
Showing respect for others entails someone who pays attention. And paying attention means not focusing on self.
Courtesy involves showing respect for the other person.
The cashier is a human being. She may have good days, or maybe bad days just like everyone else. Giving them benefit of the doubt will help prevent irritation at their perceived rudeness.
A slow driver may be having trouble with their car, or driving cautiously because they know the deer that lurk in the trees surrounding the road, or it could be an elderly driver. Tailgating is showing a lack of courtesy and patience. And it certainly won’t intimidate the driver to speed up so they can accommodate you.
When someone is hurting or ill, a little smile sometimes brings blessings in ways you may not understand.
Like the cupcake. It made me tear up. That small gesture showed that someone really did care.