October 25
Consider that you too often err and are a human being like them. And even if you refrain from certain faults — you carry the disposition for them within you.
Meditations XI.18
Listening mode
Consider that you too often err and are a human being like them. And even if you refrain from certain faults — you carry the disposition for them within you.
At the supermarket checkout, someone snaps at the cashier because the card isn't working. You're standing behind them and find it outrageous. You would never talk to anyone like that.
Maybe that's even true. But you don't know what this person brought with them into the queue. You slept well, there's money in your account, and no one is waiting at home who urgently needs you right now. Your friendliness costs you little this afternoon.
That doesn't make their tone right. The cashier still took the brunt of it. But your picture of yourself becomes inaccurate the moment you overlook how much a calm day contributes. Some mistakes you have never made because things have never got that tight for you.
When it's your turn, you smile at the cashier, and you mean it. How you would have been on a different day, you don't quite know.
