Why can't everyone be like me?
I came out of the aisle a little too fast and nearly ran into him at the small grocery store. He didn't seem to see me or our near collision. He just walked on by.
His clothes were dirty.
His hair was big and wild.
His gaze was straight ahead. "It's my birthday," he chanted loudly. "It's my birthday." He held a can of something in one hand and waved the other in the air, as he spoke.
I had to look for something at the end of the aisle, but, I tried not to get to close.
"Uh huh, uh huh," he chanted. "I can't help it." Then he moved on talking to himself. Eyes stared straight ahead.
We've seen people with mental illness behave like this in public or at least I have. Sometimes we turn away because...they are scary...sometimes...we are disgusted. And we don't know what to do.
This man made me nervous… a little. He didn't seem to acknowledge anyone around him. And he had a can in his hand. But actually...
hidden in his wild hair was a Bluetooth device that I saw later. Once again, I assumed something different than the reality.
Sometimes we assume the worst about people. Sometimes we are totally judging the wrong thing. Is that fair? Is that love?
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." ~Mother Teresa said.
The right way to serve others is to satisfy the heart...not the mind. It's difficult...sometimes...to look past the surface. But who are we to cast that first stone? Who are we to say you are poor and I am better? Who are we to say you are different, not like me, I am better? Who am I? None better than another.
His clothes were dirty.
His hair was big and wild.
His gaze was straight ahead. "It's my birthday," he chanted loudly. "It's my birthday." He held a can of something in one hand and waved the other in the air, as he spoke.
I had to look for something at the end of the aisle, but, I tried not to get to close.
"Uh huh, uh huh," he chanted. "I can't help it." Then he moved on talking to himself. Eyes stared straight ahead.
We've seen people with mental illness behave like this in public or at least I have. Sometimes we turn away because...they are scary...sometimes...we are disgusted. And we don't know what to do.
This man made me nervous… a little. He didn't seem to acknowledge anyone around him. And he had a can in his hand. But actually...
hidden in his wild hair was a Bluetooth device that I saw later. Once again, I assumed something different than the reality.
Sometimes we assume the worst about people. Sometimes we are totally judging the wrong thing. Is that fair? Is that love?
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." ~Mother Teresa said.
The right way to serve others is to satisfy the heart...not the mind. It's difficult...sometimes...to look past the surface. But who are we to cast that first stone? Who are we to say you are poor and I am better? Who are we to say you are different, not like me, I am better? Who am I? None better than another.
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40
Love is not.... turning away, being critical, or unforgiving. Real love from person to person should be...could be unconditional....should be loving.
Judging or loving? Those are my choices today.
To answer my own question: Why can't everyone be like me? Well my goodness it's because it is better that way.
Oh and for something fun to read, go check out the story at Something She Wrote. She put out a little exercise... a little challenge...to contribute to a story from an idea. Then Janna put it all together as a story. She went to a lot of trouble. It was so much fun. I contributed twice. My pride will tell you that I was the first contributor. My first part starts with "Had I been here before?" and ends with "I needed to watch". I also have a blurb later. It was so much fun.
Comments
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I have been without a job for over 10 months now, single mom of an almost 16 year old boy (going on 30 yr. old man), and all I can find is substitute teaching. This has been a blessing because I love working with kids, and it gives me hope of getting a job.
My truck would not go into "park" the other day and had to have it dropped off at the shop. Here I don't have a job so the stress...then I have been having a toothache that has turned more painful than childbirth (that I can remember...)so everything seemed to be happening to "me". Then the "why me?" but I prayed it through and the total fix on my truck was...$67.00! Thank you Lord!
I stopped in at the dentist to see when they could get me in...expecting to be told a months wait and I don't have insurance (no job thing again...) and they will get me in this morning at 8:30 this morning! Praise God! $66.00 for the visit.
Seems like not big deals but it truly is and if you pray believing...well it's true. God will and is always there for you if you just keep the FAITH.
Please pray my dentist appointment is reasonable and my pain ends. I subbed 2 days straight with this severe toothache with classrooms full of Pre-K kids. Another testament that God truly is GOOD!
Angela Case
Angie, Hang in there.
Jen, The world IS interesting and wonderful showcasing so many precious people.
I love the Rose/Peony story- what a great idea and it came out great!
I'll drop over and check out your blurbs too. Thanks. :)
Yes, there are some. But there are also a lot of actors rehearsing for auditions as they run down the street.
God made us all uniquely different so we can blend together like a well used recipe. Wouldn't it be boring is we were all carbon copies of one another???
God bless you sweet one and have a terrific day!!!
We all have some special ingredient, don't we?
Lee
have a great day loves
That being said, yes, I too have to be careful not to judge people too quickly.
Probably the basis of much of the world's contentions.
I love this blog!
Mason,I think I am just quick to assume without investigation.
Gail, that is a good thing to remember.
Devon, I had never thought of actors!!! And what about me who talks to herself regularly in public.
Nezzy, How true!! And I am glad we are different recipes.
Mary, I think we all might be the same without that special ingredient.
Constance, Me too. Too bad I'm not THAT mother Teresa.
Lee, Very common to ignore so not to have to get involved. Her name is called Teresa. I'm trying to change.
Carol, Maybe the judging thing is a protective device.
Tugce, Judging and prejudices are related don't you think?
Cop Mama, I love the cop in you!!! I am more cautious than not and I will remain that way.
Patti, Thanks. It's been on my mind.
We used to have a schizophrenic woman in our town, she favored the small confines of our tiny post office and would often pop in and she'd be yelling nonsense and frightening people. Funny, she was kinda cute, petite, always with a neat ponytail and clean sporty clothes, but she was loony tunes. As far as I could tell, she was totally harmless. Later on I found out that one of my daughter's went to school with her daughter. I wondered how she dealt with her mother "being that way", and my daughter said she was very loving and accepting of her mother.
I'm so glad you linked to our story! I'm sorry I missed it until now. But I'm also really glad you enjoyed it so much!