Daily Mood Quotes - October 19, 2011

 

Daily Mood Quotes

Day 169 – October 19, 2011

“For many people, one of the most frustrating aspects of life is not being able to understand other people's behavior.”

~Unknown Author

There is an old adage that goes, “walk a mile in my shoes.” I understand this to mean that you should not judge, or pass judgement on, someone who's situation you know nothing about. It is fascinating to watch how quickly people react to something said, an action or a notion by somebody else. Boy, can the sparks fly, the assumptions arrive in bushels and facts are thrown out the window. And I thought the Fourth of July only came once a year. Wow, was I wrong.

Someone once told me the friends you make become the family you always wanted. I've also heard that “friends are God's way of apologizing for your family.” Too bad you can't pick them from the get go...When I left to go out on my own many years ago, there was always this little voice that nagged at me, causing to me to question myself; “Did I do the right thing by leaving home, moving ahead with my life, wanting more, better.” I wondered if it was right to actually want peace, instead of what Archangel Michael (played by John Travolta) said in the movie Michael, “Battle!” Well, I'm not at battle, I just don't have it in me. I will speak up for what is right, through communication, but yelling, screaming, not listening, throwing things....no way, that's not for me. Neither is trying to roar so loud, that the truth cannot be heard. Then there is lying, or we can creatively refer to as, “convenient memory.” Paul Simon sang in the song The Boxer, “Though my story's seldom told, I have squandered my resistance, For a pocketful of mumbles, Such are promises, All lies and jest, Still, a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.”

We so often hear what we want to hear. Even if its what we heard long ago. We all can, in times of duress and sorrow, gravitate towards and hold onto “versions” of what was and what happened; that which will make the story plausible and fits our current version of reality. Unfortunately, even plausible stories can unravel and there is only one real “version” when the truth is told. Funny thing about the truth; its never very welcome when people have, or had agendas. The truth, well it doesn't require versions and it won't sit for a picture in our mind. The truth cares not for sentiment, aspiration, cash needs, or convenience. The truth simply is.

I have always taught my children to tell the truth, because when you tell the truth, you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to be ashamed of, and you never have to remember what you said. It makes living life a lot easier. Life is already hard to deal with. Why do people find it necessary to make it harder, than it has to be? The truth can be ugly on the outside, but its true beauty lies within the fact that it can and will set you free of self-doubt and fear when confronted by convenient memories. Did I do the right thing when I left home? Yes and those questions I asked myself...disappeared a long time ago.

What truth will you face today?

Tune in tomorrow to read the daily mood quote

Thank you for reading.