Thursday, April 23, 2009

"Leave My Cookies Alone!"

"Arriving at the airport early enough to get through check-in and security in time to make a flight has become a modern art. I recently heard about a woman who, having maneuvered through the single-file portal of entry to her gate, paused to pick up a snack---chocolate-covered cookies and a hot cup of coffee. She looked for a speaker where she could moniter the boarding call and found a seat with a small table between herself and another passenger, a man who appeared fully engrossed in the USA Today sports section. Unloading the coffee, carry-on bags, and purse from her arms, she paused to retrieve the latest edition of People magazine and settled in to enjoy the coffee and cookies before the call to board. What happened next was beyond belief. She unwrapped the package of cookies, took out the first of her newfound indulgences, and began reading her magazine. The man with the newspaper next to her simply reached over, pulled the cookies to his side of the table, and proceeded to eat a cookie without any apparent consideration for the woman. Her frustration and discomfort with the situation began to escalate. She tried to focus on her magazine and ignore what had happened. But then she reached for another cookie, and within a moment, he, too, reached to take another. She felt the heat of anger rising within. Then it happened! She reached for the last cookie, but before her hand got beyond the edge of her magazine, his hand was on it...She glared at him with indignation. He calmly broke the cookie in half, offered her the other half, shrugged his shoulders, and gathered his things in response to the call to board... The woman spent the next hour and a half seething at the nerve, the gall, the arrogance of a man who would act in such a self-indulging manner. She began to imagine a conversation between herself and this man, confronting him after the flight. The shock of the events that unfolded in the airport had left her speechless, but now she knew just what to do. "I'll write a note of protest and deliver it as we exit the plane", she thought. She reached into her bag for a pen and paper and, to her surprise, discovered her unopened sleeve of chocolate cookies. The cookies on the table actually belonged to the man with the newspaper! Life is like that...It is not until we shift our focus and change our perspective...that we are able to come to terms with our own reality glitches." ~ story by David H. Mckinley in "The Search for Satisfaction".

This short story spoke to me when I read it. It reminded me that so often my heartfelt judgement calls are totally inaccurate to the situation that I am confronted with, in daily life. Hastily, I jump to conclusions without really knowing the whole story. Many times over the years, I have discovered that there truly is more to the story than I am aware of...and upon learning one little fact(like her unopened pack of chocolate cookies) can make all of the difference in my perspective. I pray for patience as I face life's many glitches. I wish each of you an opportunity today, to share your cookies with those you come in contact with.

12 comments:

Stacey said...

I love this story! Just shows how a little perspective changes everything. I hope that if I were in her situation I would have shared my cookies.

Judy said...

Good lesson here, Judy...and may I be reminded of it when getting upset about the situation at hand (there's maybe a different perspective).

Tracy said...

Guilty as charged! What a great story, Judy. So very true.

southerninspiration said...

I'm over visiting from Stacey's blog....thanks for the chuckle...what a hilarious story!! I would love to use that again, someday!

Suzanne

lindsey said...

This is a great story and I can certainly relate to what you say, Judy,I can often be quick to pass judgement and this is a lesson to be learnt. Thank you.

Brenda Pruitt said...

You are so absolutely right! How many times have I made some sort of quick judgment to find out I was totally wrong about the situation. Good post!
Brenda

Melanie said...

I have to admit that as I read, I grew more and more indignant myself! The nerve of that man...oops.
'Gotta borrow this story, Judy!
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Anonymous said...

I think most problems come from misinterpretation of situations and things said. If only we would step back before we jump in. Some poeple don't talk to each other for years and years over something the other person didn't mean at all. I think this was a great post. We can all learn from this. Thankss.

Happy@Home said...

Great story, Judy. I will remember this one and think of it before jumping to any conclusions in the future.

Sheryl said...

oh i used to be the queen of judgment! i judged people based on the shoes they wore (ok...i may still do a little of that). but there is such truth in what you shared. the friendships i would have missed out on if i had not taken the chance to go below the surface.

Barb said...

Great story, Judy! Wow, I was so surprised at the outcome. It certainly makes one think, doesn't it?

Thanks for sharing!

Barb

Alison said...

Oh my! What a great story!

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