When I’m not getting my way… When someone is disagreeing with my opinion… When I feel like I’m being overlooked by others…

…that’s when I need to ask myself the question:

How important is it…really?

Is it worth losing a relationship because I always need to get what I want when I want it? Is it worth hurting a friend’s feelings by insisting that I am right and my friend is wrong? Is it worth living in self-pity because my good work or good deeds are not being noticed by others?

99% of the time, the answer is NO to all of those questions. Sure, there are times when it is very important that I stand up for myself when I am not being treated with respect and appreciation. But more often than not, when something within me is disturbed by what is happening to me or around me, I need to take the focus off of what is seemingly being done to me and put it on how I am responding.

I cannot change the way others behave, but I can show others how to treat me and respect me by how I treat them and respect them. What if, the next time someone disagrees with me, I quietly listen to their opinion instead of defensively spewing back my thoughts before they have even completed a sentence? What if when I feel my good work is overlooked, I just keep doing good work instead of complaining about being overlooked to anyone who will listen? What if the next time I don’t get my own way, I pray for the ability to enjoy each moment as it comes instead of thinking I always know what is best for me and everyone around me?

Perhaps I will be surprised by what happens. Maybe I will find that trying something new or different brings joy to my life. Maybe the simple act of listening to someone’s opinion about something near and dear to their heart will help them to feel accepted and validated (even if I don’t agree with them). And, maybe, just maybe, doing good works without any recognition from others will help me to become more like the person God created me to be.

For today, I am willing to take a chance, listen instead of talking, and do good – even if it’s not exactly what I want to do at the moment. Just for today.