For your consideration…..
I was given an event that happened with a student last year as an example for today’s message. Let me briefly describe the event.
I had a student that sat right by my desk. He was often disruptive but never in a mean or intentional way, if that makes sense. Secretly, (because you really can’t have favorites) I adored this young man. Over a couple of days I gently corrected his behavior as he would frequently throw in random comments at inappropriate moments. Finally, I told him I was giving him 3 warnings. Upon the 3rd one he would receive consequences. He had used up 2 of the warnings when another student had an outburst. As I started to deal with it all I could hear was this other student throwing in his comments. I sent him to the hall. After I dealt with the student with outburst and got the class working, I went to the hall to see the other student. I was very shocked to find him very upset, crying and angry. As I started to talk to him he began to shout that he got punished for the other student’s bad behavior. “No”, I explained, “You got punished for inputting into a situation that was not yours. That was your 3rd warning.” “But I didn’t start it.” he cried. “Understood but you needed to stay quiet and let me handle it.” Ultimately, I got him settled down and encouraged him to rejoin the class when he felt ready.
The next morning in meditation this situation came in as the message. When I got to school I told him that I had thought about him. He was so excited and very anxious to hear what I had to say. What I explained to him is what our message is today.
We are all living the story of our life. We act accordingly often making assumptions. The example with my student was I was sure it was abundantly clear on why he was sent to the hall. So I was shocked at his outrage. My student’s story was he was responsible for his behavior but he was being punished for the other student’s behavior. He was initially unable to separate the others action from his own commenting. To him they were one incident, not two.
Our message today is that we must not be so entrenched in our own story that we make assumptions. That tends to put us on auto pilot when we need to be fully present in each moment hearing and feeling how our words and actions are being received and making sure we are receiving words and actions from others as they are truly intended.
That is the HOPE. And so it is.
Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take……
-Meditate/pray…..center yourself. Be confident. Be open.
-Drink lots of water.
-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths. Remember you can do this to and from your car. You don’t have to do them all at once.
-Be safe. If it is too hot outdoors to exercise. Do it indoors. Or consider relaxing deep breathing or yoga.
What made me smile yesterday…….
-Lunch with friend, Jen. It is great to exchange our stories and get family updates with another mother who can completely understand
-Our new backup sump pump is installed. Hmmmm peace of mind for my husband. Big stress relief.
-Catching up with Sandy, Jackie and Jody. Blessings my friends. Feel better soon, Sandy.
-Did I say I would not complain when summer finally came? OK I won’t
Love, Blessings and Gratitude,
Rev. Chris
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