Tips for living in a Rodney King world.
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 3 comments link this postI'm always saddened at how people can't get along. Especially Christians. There are few more difficult things than being liked by two people who are in some kind of conflict.
Here are some more tips gleaned in 33 excruciating years of living:
- I have no rights.
- I need to shut up and let them talk.
- I am not important.
- Learn something from everyone.
- Honor another person's mother.
- People are not the enemy.
- You only have what you have.
- If push comes to shove, you can always anonymously sign them up for magazine subscriptions using the loose cards that fall out of the magazines at the store.
- I have to give up my natural tendency to wanting what's supposedly fair. I have to quit laying claim to any kind of rights I have. Being territorial means there are lines and lines mean defenses. Which means Reginald Denny gets a brick in the head again.
- Everyone needs to talk. Let people talk to you, even it's just verbal dumping. Let them do it. You can beat your cat up later, if it gets to be too much.
- The worst concept to hit the western world is the idea that "I deserve it" or "I need some me time" or "he wasn't meeting my needs." Please. Just shut up. Meet someone else's needs. Do something deserving for someone else. Give someone else time.
- Everyone has something I don't have. I can learn from anyone, even if it ends up only being self-control (see number 5).
- Refrain from punching in the face and remember somewhere, this person has a mother that probably loves them.
- They really aren't. There's always a story, a reason, something under the surface making them tick. Biggest jerk in the world? Maybe so. Jerks need kindness, too.
- I can't change anyone else. As lame and over-used as that is, it's the truth. As with all things in life, I only got what I got and I'll have to make that work. What can I change, what can I do, how can I subtly work change in my attitude? And if it fails and the other person is still impossible? (See number 7.)
- This works splendidly well. I can attest to a high success rate.
I have never understood why some people can't get along with anyone, but I guess I've just been lucky in my upbringing and don't have all the baggage. Or something. It's not a question of understanding that there are really irritating jerks out there -- frankly, I find most people irritating and can hardly stand to be around them. The question is one of peacemaking, I suppose, or getting along.
I also respect the magazines.
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 3/11/2007 03:04:00 PM
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3 Comments:
You may find people getting pretty upset with you for articulating #1. I know this from personal experience.
By 
Jim, at
11/3/07 16:28
I hear you on that one, Jim. I've been told that I'm completely wrong on that idea before, too. It is a totally foreign concept for Americans, especially, who are practically raised being pumped on what rights we have. But the minute I get past that, thinking of my rights, which involves things like turning the other cheek and being last instead of first and a bunch more such ideas, the amazing things start happening.
By 
Julie, at
11/3/07 19:51
This was sent to me (Julie) via email from T.K. I'm putting it here because I can.
You need to read Acts 15: 36-41, esp. v.39...
You probably feel the way Silas did when he and Paul left for Syria... "why can't these 2 guys get along...they just spent the last 3 years together on a missions
trip?!"
PS: Paul sounds like he could have been the control freak here, always wanting everybody to do as he thinks best. And the best part of this story is ...Paul and John Mark became close again at the end of Paul's life....
Just food for more thought...
(Note to people: POST THESE THINGS! LET EVERYONE READ THEM!)
Ok, now I'm calm.
By , at
12/3/07 00:07
