Come on in, the water is FINE

Wow. Once in awhile, well okay every day, I have these experiences that really hit home how far I've come.

Tonite I talked to my best friend (well okay, the female one as I also talked to my fave guy friend too) and she had a run-in with a coworker and just wanted to vent. She's a terrific person, but has a hard time struggling with SELF. This coworker of hers just gets under her skin; she's demanding, lazy, bossy and kind of mean. My friend always lets this coworker get under her skin. Anyway, I let her vent. Then I said to her "XXXXX you aren't responsible for what XXXXX thinks, does or feels. You can't MAKE her act any way at all. You treat people with love and respect and you can't demand it from anyone. Besides, you ROCK...you're smart, beautiful, funny, respectful, a true friend, loving and just all-around AWESOME. Why do you need her validation, approval or respect?"

On the other end of the phone I could just hear a deep breath being taken in, sort of in that wavering sort of way like she was holding back tears. Quietly, she replied "Thank you". It was all she needed to hear and have. It really is that simple.

I went on to explain that life is much better when you realize these things. You go out in the world and treat everyone with love and respect, like the everyone in the world is your family. Are you going to get it in return from absolutely everyone? No, you aren't and you shouldn't expect it. But give it out and suddenly it's easy to have a smile on your face.

This was all interesting because someone at work today was marginally frustrating me. Did I get mad? No, I simply went back to my desk and silently blessed her and asked the universe for some clarity to a problem I was having. Then it was back to work, with a smile on my face. Months ago I would have gone outside and walked around the block muttering to myself, went back to my desk and started to look for another job. Drama queen!

Later on I was killing some time before an appointment, and I saw this elderly lady crossing the street. She looked pretty unhappy. As I walked near to her, I smiled broadly and made eye contact with her. She smiled broadly back and nodded to me. I kept on walking and felt SOOOO good. It feels good to just feel good. Really, I feel good MOST of the time.

Heck, come to think of it I have another example today of how far I've come. I asked someone to call me or MSN me, and this person didn't. Instead of being disappointed and well, mad, I busy myself with something else and got distracted. Later on I got an email saying "Hey, I'm off to bed as I have to get up early. *hugs*" Ooooh yeah...cool. A few months ago this incident with this person would have pissed me off or had me "Oh this person doesn't want to talk to me, how rude, boo hoo hoo". Today nothing but a song in my heart. Heck, everyday there is a song in my heart. Put one in yours. Go ahead, I double dog dare ya.