What do I ACTUALLY control…
This past week, I have had to search my soul in ways I have not done for a very LONG TIME… it was DIFFICULT! If I am honest, I didn’t really like what I saw… BUT, I also came to this realization! I don’t really have as much power and influence and prestige as I sometimes think I do… but what I DO HAVE is the power and ability to BE the BEST PERSON I can be… to love myself and to love my family and friends and the students I work with! To be a good colleague and take care of myself and those within my immediate sphere. To be kind, gentle, and compassionate, and to pick others up when they may have stumbled or are simply feeling down. I have the ability to smile at others and to make them feel welcome in the spaces I inhabit. I can greet others in a way that makes them smile… I can give hugs if they are desired and I can listen with all my soul when that is needed.
Yea, I might not have THAT kind of power and control… but I have something even better!
These are beautiful words and sentiments, Hylan. We can’t control how people react and feel but we can do our best to support and be examples of kindness, caring, and positivity. Those effects can be felt throughout the world.
Betsy, as always, thank you so much for reading these posts and ACTUALLY taking the time to think about them and write a response! Much, much appreciated! I am actually sorry to write these words but I USED to think my actions of kindness and compassion COULD change the world as a whole… but my view has shrunk considerably as each year passes… This does NOT mean that I will stop TRYING to make the world a better place… it just means that if I can improve my small sphere of influence in which I have some import, that will be enough to create some satisfaction. If someday, I can have a larger influence that will simply be extra goodness. I hope you also keep making the world a better place… as you do! Thank you again for the reply!