Yesterday had some bitter sweet moments. I was at Costco and did some people watching as I shopped. It must have been 'date' time because there were a lot of couples walking around and several families. It touched my heart to see these sweet couples taking care of each others needs. It was also sad to know I didn't have that in my life. Then I saw a spouse tell their partner to go get something. When they came back with the wrong thing a little anger came through. I observed another person shake their head and give their spouse a disgusting look over something. It was sad.
Then I turned my attention to some families. An adorable family was picking up dog food and the dad was having the five year old 'help' him put it in the cart. We all know how much help a five year old would be at that. Another family was deciding together which cheese to buy. Then there was the parent who got mad at their child for taking an extra sample. They picked them up and threw them in the cart and started yelling at them.
My point is we have all had moments like these parents. Sometimes we respond the right way and sometimes we respond the wrong way. Whenever I responded to my children or spouse the wrong way, I usually felt bad afterwards but I wasn't always sure what to do to change what happened. I have worked years on teaching myself to smile, worry more about the child then the situation, and to try and release the tension with kind words or laughter. It isn't easy and it doesn't always work out that way, but I try. My kids can tell you that if you just make me laugh, I cannot discipline or get angry!
Now that my children are grown and married, I am trying to do the same with my grandchildren and I hope that my example rubs off on everyone around me. The sad part is now that my spouse is deceased, it saddens me to see how spouses sometimes treat each other. If I could go back in time, I would put his needs before mine more often, I would listen better, be slower to judge or get angry, and find more ways to spend quality time with him so he knew he was needed.
Life is to short. Be careful with your words because the tongue can be as sharp as a knife. Don't leave 'I love you' unsaid, your kids not hugged, or your spouse not kissed. If you are raising your voice because you are angry, you are not raising it for the right reason. Raise your voice in praise and love. When they are still in your life it is hard to sometimes understand this, but when they are suddenly gone, you will.
To stay young and healthier longer, I suggest laughter, love, and happiness.
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