"A Poem"

A woman was waiting at an airport one night
With several long hours before her flight.
She hunted for a book in the airport shop
Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.
She was engrossed in her book but happened to see
That the man beside her as bold as could be
Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between
Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene.
She munched cookies and watched the clock
As this gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock.
She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by
Thinking “If I wasn’t so nice I’d blacken his eye.”
With each cookie she took he took one too
And when only one was left she wondered what he’d do.
With a smile on his face and a nervous laugh
He took the last cookie and broke it in half.
He offered her half as he ate the other
She snatched it from him and thought: “Oh brother.
This guy has some nerve and he’s also rude
Why, he didn’t even show any gratitude"

She had never known when she had been so galled
And sighed with relief when her flight was called.
She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate
Refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate.
She boarded the plane and sank in her seat
Then sought her book which was almost complete.
As she reached in her baggage she gasped with surprise.
There was her bag of cookies in front of her eyes.
“If mine are here” she moaned with despair,
“Then the others were his and he tried to share.”
“Too late to apologize,” she realized with grief,
That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief.
—Author unknown



I ran across this poem the other day and thought it spoke volumes about our relationships with others and those around us. How often do we automatically assume the worst, half-mindedly think negative thoughts, nonchalantly cast the blame on the other person, “pass the buck,” shirk responsibility, make excuses, call the glass half-empty instead of half-full, or just become oblivious to the truth or our surroundings altogether.


Why not make today a day to become kinder, gentler, more understanding and giving, less critical or judgmental, a little more patient, a little more nurturing, a little more insightful, and, above all, positive in thought and energetic in learning and living? Add a lightness, and a politeness, into your step and embrace today.



Your Turn:
Make that positive first step to connect, really connect, with
the world around you—be it a relative, a friend, a stranger in
need, a pet, the person behind the checkout counter at your
grocery store: whomever or whatever—reconnect!


Today’s Affirmation:
I assume and expect the best at every turn.