Do You See the Fighter?

Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle...

Whenever I hear or see this coined quote, I can't help but stopping to really think and consider the happenings in the lives of others. Although I am generally not a very self-centered person, I dwell a lot of time in my own head. With that increasing time spent locked into my own mind, my thoughts get clouded and I cannot process that someone else may have thoughts greater than mine at that very moment. I forget to use my peripheral brain to notice. 

I am pretty sure we are all fairly guilty of not using our peripheral brains to notice that another may be upset. 

What is the battle in your life? 

This is most likely a pretty easy question for you to answer. You could probably rattle off a list a mile long, and then add a few 'PS's' at the end. I know I sure could. 

What are the battles your mother is facing? Your father? Sister? Brother? Coworker? Customer? Client? Patient? Friend? 

Some of these you might be able to say vague answers on. Others, you most likely won't have a clue. Trust me, I certainly don't claim to have tabs on what other's concerns are. However, I am trying to use my peripheral brain to be open to the fact that these folks DO have concerns and battles that they are facing. 

My job relies heavily on helping others - as about 99.9% of the jobs out there in the world. My duties include being friendly, helpful, patient, precise, and speedy. My duties do not include fretting over the small things, being short or snotty, or criticizing others. Those actions are only made out of selfishness.

Whatever industry you are in, whether you are a lunch lady, garbage man, doctor, lawyer, teacher or coach, it is your duty to be honest, friendly, helpful, patient, and precise too! We are all fighters - trying our hardest. Yes, it's hard to be faced with the folks that are obviously NOT trying to follow the golden rule, BUT here is the real kicker... Maybe THEY are fighting another completely different battle. Maybe it's cancer or another serious ailment, a lost relative or loved one, serious debt, or maybe they have just lost their job. Whatever the battle, it is our duty to try our best to understand and HELP in the little ways we can. 

In other words, it might be easy to get frustrated, to be short or snotty, or criticize someone else when they are rude or short with us, but generally their actions and attitude have little to do with us or the situation. It's our job to see the FIGHTER in them. 

Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, your actions and calmness will be enough to open their eyes and allow them to see your grace and kindness. It could very well change their day and allow them to experience life through a new perspective. 

So FIGHT to be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle...