I really enjoyed this talk. I have been offended by some people lately and decided that I was going to make an effort to forgive the offense as it happens.
My mother has said to me in the past that when I get mad, that's when she knows that I need a nap. She told me that she has never known me to hold a grudge after I woke up from sleeping. It's true, but I have gotten away from that. I have had some conversations lately where I have realized that I was offended and the offender had no idea (which is what happens most of the time).
I started thinking in the "I can't believe that they...", which is a judgemental start and no good can follow that phrase.
Such is the case with Mom's Group, I was so excited to have the moms in the ward over to go swimming... and one person came (Thanks, Kendra!). I decided that no matter how many people came, I was going to have fun. So, Kendra, Hayden, Carson and I went swimming; and I had fun.
Right after that morning, I started thinkingback and realized that everytime I went to someone else's home, they always had few people there. I started looking at myself and wondering what I had done to offend others so that they didn't come. I quickly changed my attitude and thought process to "there must have been something happening that I didn't know about." There was, it was Meet the Teacher Day at the local pre-school, at the same time of mom's group. I later found this out when I started recieving emails and calls about why people were sorry that they couldn't make it. A few of them have told me that had it been the day before or after, they would have been able to make it.
I have always thought that I wasn't a judgemental person, but have come to realize the problem with that... I am. I just didn't let them know that I was judging them, so I thought that I wasn't judging.
All in all, I have thought lately about the wonder of Free Agency and the blessings it brings. It CAN bring heartache, but only if it is of our own allowance.
4 comments:
I really like this post. Good for you and your self awareness!
I too have been bad about judging others, wait, I still have that problem. Thanks for the advice.
Thanks for the reminder, Shellee.
I know I need to work on not judging others and not getting offended. It's hard for me to not take things personally. It seems like you have the right attitude here.
I wish we could have made it we were in Utah. My brother in law went into the MTC. I am glad you and kendra had fun though!
Thanks again for the reminder. We get so caught up judging and not realizing it. I remember mom's groups where I made lunch for everyone (back when Evergreen did lunches too) and not a soul showed up. It's hard to not think bad thoughts. I'm glad you have decided to not let it offend you. I need to remember that lesson. Thanks.
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