A friend recently asked if we could watch his dog. It’s a big chocolate lab, grown but still young. If I throw a ball a
hundred times he’ll get it a hundred times and look at me with the same expectant
face on every return.
He’s trots around, oblivious to the world around him. His big body bumps into things and his tail wags ferociously, clearing figurines from shelves and knocking down small children.
He’s also totally unaware of Abby. Our dog has been perfectly happy being an only child and he’s ruining it. He’s bigger, faster and stronger and it freaks her out. She sits in the corner of the room, glares at him and growls when he gets too close.
She’s a bundle of nerves and he’s bouncing around grabbing her toys, licking people and knocking over furniture.
We all know people like this, don’t we? People who bounce through life, totally unaware of the wake of destruction they leave behind them. Maybe we've worked for him. The guy who pops his head in your office, utters a decree then trots down the hall happily, while your day lies in ruins.
Maybe it’s a friend who allows her chaos to enter your life. She shows up only when she needs something, only when she’s made a shambles of things again, only to drain you.
Maybe it’s a family member. Your parent who calls and always seems to have the right offhanded comment to make you feel small… again.
We all know these people. With just a few words, they leave us feeling shattered.
But what’s hard to see is, sometimes we are that person. Because we think the best of our motivations, we don’t realize how our comments and actions may be impacting others, our coworkers, our friends, our family.
The next time someone growls and snaps at you, instead of snapping back, take some time to question why. Maybe the “old dog” is threatened by your presence. Maybe what you considered to be “gentle teasing” wasn't received that way. Maybe your comments have opened old wounds.
It’s easy to see in others, but we need to realize, sometimes we’re the chocolate lab.
He’s trots around, oblivious to the world around him. His big body bumps into things and his tail wags ferociously, clearing figurines from shelves and knocking down small children.
He’s also totally unaware of Abby. Our dog has been perfectly happy being an only child and he’s ruining it. He’s bigger, faster and stronger and it freaks her out. She sits in the corner of the room, glares at him and growls when he gets too close.
She’s a bundle of nerves and he’s bouncing around grabbing her toys, licking people and knocking over furniture.
We all know people like this, don’t we? People who bounce through life, totally unaware of the wake of destruction they leave behind them. Maybe we've worked for him. The guy who pops his head in your office, utters a decree then trots down the hall happily, while your day lies in ruins.
Maybe it’s a friend who allows her chaos to enter your life. She shows up only when she needs something, only when she’s made a shambles of things again, only to drain you.
Maybe it’s a family member. Your parent who calls and always seems to have the right offhanded comment to make you feel small… again.
We all know these people. With just a few words, they leave us feeling shattered.
But what’s hard to see is, sometimes we are that person. Because we think the best of our motivations, we don’t realize how our comments and actions may be impacting others, our coworkers, our friends, our family.
The next time someone growls and snaps at you, instead of snapping back, take some time to question why. Maybe the “old dog” is threatened by your presence. Maybe what you considered to be “gentle teasing” wasn't received that way. Maybe your comments have opened old wounds.
It’s easy to see in others, but we need to realize, sometimes we’re the chocolate lab.
No comments:
Post a Comment