I wasn't a frog kisser today. In fact, I did something I rarely do. I lost my cool. It was the bad timing of the end of the year mixed with the stupid things we do when we are fourteen-years-old. When it turned into making fun of other people, I lost it. It was a controlled anger, but it was anger, nonetheless. It stuck with me all day and made me feel sick to my stomach. I just can't stomach anger.
I've been reading Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom. Tonight I was reading about a doctor who treated the rabbi horribly, but when the doctor's brother passed away, the rabbi made a condolence call. Mitch asks the Rabbi, "After the way he treated you?" The Rabbi responds, "In this job, you don't retaliate." These words stopped me cold.
I was so caught up in my righteous anger, I forgot that in this job, you don't retaliate. No matter how bad today was, tomorrow is a fresh start. I would hate to be judged by the way I acted today, or pretty much any day, really. I am far from perfect and should be the last one to throw stones. Especially at fourteen-year-olds who are still learning how to become adults.
I am not sorry I got angry. Sometimes a moment can only be taught by getting angry at the situation. Bullying people is one of the issues I am willing to take that kind of a stand. However, the lesson will be overshadowed by my quest to retaliate and destroy the last few days of school.
Imagine what a world we would have if we all said, "In this ______________, you don't retaliate." In this marriage...this friendship...this country....this school...this family...this church....this world... What a beautiful world it would be!
I've been reading Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom. Tonight I was reading about a doctor who treated the rabbi horribly, but when the doctor's brother passed away, the rabbi made a condolence call. Mitch asks the Rabbi, "After the way he treated you?" The Rabbi responds, "In this job, you don't retaliate." These words stopped me cold.
I was so caught up in my righteous anger, I forgot that in this job, you don't retaliate. No matter how bad today was, tomorrow is a fresh start. I would hate to be judged by the way I acted today, or pretty much any day, really. I am far from perfect and should be the last one to throw stones. Especially at fourteen-year-olds who are still learning how to become adults.
I am not sorry I got angry. Sometimes a moment can only be taught by getting angry at the situation. Bullying people is one of the issues I am willing to take that kind of a stand. However, the lesson will be overshadowed by my quest to retaliate and destroy the last few days of school.
Imagine what a world we would have if we all said, "In this ______________, you don't retaliate." In this marriage...this friendship...this country....this school...this family...this church....this world... What a beautiful world it would be!
No comments:
Post a Comment