Fall back is definitely in my top 10 favorite days of the year. I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the world! Ok, maybe not that energized but I felt like I could conquer my day!
I try to live each day with the quote of Gandhi in mind “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Like I said, try. When you are dealing with traffic, long lines, a grouchy toddler, etc it's hard to be that change. But today I decided I will be different than those around me! Have you ever noticed when you are determined to do something, everything seems to be working against you? I mean I wasn't an ogre, but I didn't go out of my way to be extra special all morning. I felt like no exciting opportunity came my way demanding me to rise up. Although, thinking back, I could have gone out of my way to start a conversation with a newcomer or paid for the drink order behind me in the cafe'. But I didn't. I wish I could pass the blame but the truth is we get so comfortable in our routines, in our boxes it's hard to get outside and change.
After Church I went out shopping for Christmas. In the checkout line I was talking to my husband on the phone; finally I was called up to the register. I said “I'm getting off, I don't want to be rude” the cashier looked at me amazed. “Ma'am you didn't have to do that, it's ok people do it all the time, I'm use to it.” Now I was the one looking amazed, is our society that impolite? Are we really that desensitized to rude behavior, that it no longer bothers us? “No” I said, “That's disrespectful and I wouldn't want someone to do that to me.” He smiled and said “thank you!!” I paid, said “have a nice day” and he said “thanks so much for that, have a great day!!” Wow, that's all it took to be a change. I wasn't even trying really, just practicing the rule I teach my children “when someone is speaking to you look them in the eye.” Funny how something as simple as hanging up the phone made that guy smile. It's just that easy. I think we all need to review the rules we lay down for our children and relearn them. You can be the change.
“Keep putting into practice all you learned…” Philippians 4:9
