i’ve been thinking a lot about relationships the last two weeks or so. they never stop getting complicated, do they? i remember back when i was a kid when the most conflict in my relationships generally had to do with whether or not someone stole my pencil, or i punched someone in the nose. either way we were always friends the next day and nothing ever stuck.
over time however, people get more sensitive. you begin to grow into who you are, and for some people that means taking everything to heart, everything is personal (this is me.) for others it’s easy to roll with the punches and move along. then there is a whole host of people in between. there is no right or wrong, but it’s all part of the complicated mess that is relationships.
so how do we treat people better? what’s a tangible way to go into every interaction with someone, something to keep in mind every time you open your mouth to speak or communicate in some form?
back to that in a moment…
today while i was doing a little night drive out to the cedarcreek.tv offices to pick some things up, i had this thought; will people miss me when i’m dead? when i leave this earth, will my non-presence be felt? will i leave a legacy (of good things) behind? don’t get me wrong, i want my funeral to be a party, but i also want to know that there will be some people seriously distraught!
that led me to wonder how i treat people, and vice-versa. if i were to die, right at that moment, slide off the expressway into oncoming traffic at 65mph and get plowed over by a semi… what are the last thoughts/conversations/words/actions people are going to remember me for? what was my last interaction with my wife like? my parents? my family? my friends? my coworkers? is it what i want to be remembered for?
so, what if from now on i make a conscious effort to treat people like it may be the last time i ever interact with them. what if everyone did this? how would the world be different?
i think we as americans have a tendency to take everything for granted, including people. believe me when i say i lump myself in this category. i am awful at it… i have a tendency to be selfish, manipulative, and i sometimes i take advantage of people for my own gain. i generally don’t mean to do any of those things, but it happens nonetheless. they are my own issues and demons that i must deal with.
so, what if we start treating people like it’s the last time we’re going to see them? what if we start giving people the benefit of the doubt? what if we start assuming the best in people, instead of the worst? what if we remembered love is what matters?
how will you be remembered? how will i be remembered?
i believe with all my heart that love is all that matters. love is bigger than anything else this world can ever throw at you or me. so if love is all that matters, then live a life worth dying for and love.
love is greater.
it’s my biggest resolution for 2009. if i do nothing else, i want to love… better.
