What a simple statement! My mom basically gave me this advice over and over while I was growing up. Believe me, I have failed miserably at achieving such a simple thing. I've made plenty of boneheaded decisions that may have hurt others. Over the course of my 52 years I have gossiped, manipulated, lied, stolen things that were not mine. I've cheated, skipped school, called in sick when maybe I really didn't feel that bad. I have talked bad about others. I stole my friends boyfriend. I have been intentionally mean to people. I have been disrespectful to others. Every night when I lay my head on the pillow, my prayer is that I will try harder to be that person in the quote tomorrow...and I do try. Every day I try.
I know that perfection is out of my reach. I know that every day I will be tested and more likely than not, I will stumble. I think it is the trying part that is so important. If I stop trying to be the person in the quote, I am terrified of what I will become. I don't want to be the mean, bitter old lady who never comes out of her house. Seriously. As I get older, tolerance is so much harder for me. Isn't that the opposite of how it is supposed to be? I thought that patience came with age. Honestly, I am more patient than I was in my younger years, but I am certainly not more tolerant.
One thing that age has given me is the wisdom to know that it is okay not to like everyone I meet. That certainly doesn't give me permission to be unkind to anyone, but does free me from the guilt of feeling like a bad person because I don't care for someone. We are going to come across plenty of people in our lives that we don't warm up to and that is okay.
I guess the point of this babble is to say that I am still trying to be the best person I can be. I know everyday is an opportunity to do better. I can be a better friend, a better neighbor a better citizen. I hope I never stop trying to be the person in the quote. I'm certainly not there, but I'm trying. This is after all, my life in progress.
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