What if your were taking care of a family member diagnosed with ALS? What if a dear friend was about to undergo surgery to remove their stomach due to stomach cancer? What if a friend that hadn't been feeling well for quite some time finally sees the doctor to learn that he/she had a heart attack at some point and needs bypass surgery? What if a close friend and his wife were diagnosed with Covid? What if you personally were just told that you have prostate cancer or were undergoing treatment?
You see, the friends with stomach cancer, heart disease and Covid are all friends of mine that are fighting these severe ailments currently. They and their families are each impacted severely. I myself was diagnosed with prostate cancer and recently finished treatment with a good prognosis. My wife and daughter were equally burdened. Why do I tell you about these things?
I learned long ago that I should learn a lesson through everything that I encounter, good or bad. Over the last few days I have been searching for the lesson in all of this and I believe it is this: it's about loving others. We encounter people daily, at the store, bank, at work, friends, barbers, waiters and waitresses and more. Imagine if they are dealing with any 1 of the issues that I noted above or one or more of any others like job loss, divorce, addiction of a loved one, etc. It would probably explain a poor attitude, bad service or many other things. You might be experiencing some of these same worries and not realize how you are being perceived by others because of your circumstances.
What I pledge is to be a better neighbor, friend, customer, etc; not be judgmental so quickly, smile more easily and remember that everyone faces daunting situations throughout their lives. My responsibility it to walk in love and display respect, honor and care for others while understanding that I can't possibly know the challenges that others face.
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