See the Good - Be the Good

Understanding.  One word. Potentially the most craved word in any language. Everyone wants to be understood; to feel as though their story is being heard.  Just take a moment and think about it when was the last time you took the time to truly understand someone? Or at the very least listen. Not just hear them but actually listen. You'd be surprised with what you might learn.

For example: if someone wrongs you or hurts you in anyway what is your initial reaction? Anger? Do you find yourself plotting revenge or vengeance even?  But what does any of that get you? One moment of satisfaction, perhaps not even that. All you're doing is trying to hurt someone who hurt you and the circle continues.  Just think of what would happen if instead of seeking revenge you sought them out for an understanding.  If you took the time and actually asked why. Maybe they were just having a bad day and you happened to be their outlet.  Perhaps they are going through something that they are having a hard time dealing with.  It's not an excuse for letting their anger out on you, but everyone has days like that. Even you, think of how you would like to be treated. How hard is it to just smile, say a kind word  and walk away.

With taking the time to understand people comes the knowledge that everyone is good. Well, everyone is born good.  Some things in life may knock people down and create a change in them that is undesirable but deep down most people have good intentions.  My grandmother use to say, " The road to hell is paved with good intentions."  She was right. We all harbor the best of intentions but why is it that we seldom act on them?  What would happen if for an entire week everyone fulfilled their good intentions and maybe news casts would only report stories that ended on a high note.  Do you think the general moral of people would rise and those people would be more apt to act on those good intentions?  It is a fact that when something horrible such as a school shooting happens and it's blasted all over the news that its very likely to start a slew of other shootings similar in nature.  So what would happen if good deeds became the focus if the news for a week.  Just a thought.