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Be Agreeable
Just for today, I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything and not try to improve or regulate anybody except myself.
On the surface, this looks like such a shallow verse… after all who does not want to look as well as they can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything, and not try to improve or regulate anybody except themselves.
But, think about it for just a moment… Is this verse shallow, or does it just remind us that when we go that extra little bit to be more welcoming to others by how we look, speak and act, we help them feel comfortable and possibly see a future, or hope, where they had been floundering.
So, Let’s start with… “Look as well as I can…” I do not believe this verse is telling us to go out and get Botox or even, necessarily wear make-up… Not that either of those choices are necessarily bad or good. This verse reminds us that whether we’re home or out, we should be clean, and groomed… whether simply, or elegantly. The important part of looking as well as we can is to be REAL.
Wear a smile… how can we look as well as we could if we are frowning? Your smile lightens your spirit and the spirits of those around you. So when you think about looking as well as you can, make sure a smile is #1 on your list.
Then, dress becomingly… dress appropriately… in keeping with the situation. If you are going to a ball game, don’t dress as if you are going to a ball. Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the occasion. If you have fine clothes, fine; but if you have a very limited wardrobe, make sure each item is mended and clean… unless, of course, the style incorporates the torn look and it is appropriate for the occasion. So Just for Today… dress appropriately… and don’t worry if it’s the latest fashion.
Just for Today, we will Talk low… So often, we think when someone speaks softly, they are shy or weak. Stop and think… when someone speaks softly, you have to stop and listen to hear them. Somehow that softness implies thoughtful thinking. You have to pay closer attention to what they are saying. Speaking softly conveys humility… and to be humble is not to be weak. To be humble is to be strong. Many of us would do well to speak more softly, and strive to regain our humility. So Just for Today, let’s strive to speak low and thoughtfully.
Just for Today we will Act courteously… These days, we hear so much about random acts of kindness; but not much about just plain old-fashioned courtesy. My question is… where does courtesy end and where do random acts of kindness begin? Does courtesy have a finite time it should be exercised? Should courtesy have its own time slot?
This verse implies that the world would be a better place to live if kindness and compassion for one another flourished.
What has happened to everyday courtesy? What happened to treating everyone we meet with respect and consideration?
Didn’t we learn courtesy as children? Didn’t we learn courtesy should be practiced throughout our day-to-day living? Didn’t we learn that we should extend courtesy everyone: strangers, friends, or family? Yet, we don’t seem to see much courtesy anymore.
Courtesy is simple… It’s a few thoughtful words and, or, actions that take seconds to perform and can have lasting effects. It’s greeting the stranger on the street instead of walking by pretending you don’t see them. Courtesy is as simple as saying “thank you” when someone opens a door for you. Courtesy is acknowledging the person who made the sandwich you ordered for lunch. Courtesy is holding the elevator when you see someone rushing toward it.
Please, Don’t get me wrong. Random acts of kindness are wonderful; but they should be in addition to our normal daily courtesy. Being Courteous has wonderful holistic benefits… When we behave courteously, it reduces stress and tensions and makes the world we all live in more pleasant.
Courtesy belongs everywhere... Instead of limiting courtesy, let’s just do it, Just for Today… everyday… quietly and simply… act courteously.
Just for Today we will not criticize one bit… not find fault with anything… and not try to improve or regulate anybody except ourselves. That can be challenging… We have to pay attention… It’s easy to pretend we are just offering suggestions, when the reality is, we are telling someone that the way they are doing something isn’t good enough… in other words, criticizing.
We need to remember that our lives are meant to be a mixture of pleasant and unpleasant; easy and difficult; fulfillment and frustration. When we remember to criticize not one bit… not find fault with anything… and not try to improve or regulate anybody except ourselves; we accept that life has bitter moments and sweet moments and we go with the flow rather than battle each moment.
So, Just for Today we will not criticize one bit… not find fault with anything… and not try to improve or regulate anybody except ourselves.
I like to conclude with a story that gives a poignant example of why we should always go that extra bit… even if we don’t know the result.
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by. ?
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.
The carpenter said, “yes”, But over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... my gift to you."?
The carpenter was shocked! ??What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. ?
So it is with us. We build our lives… a day at a time… often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built.
If we could do it over, we would do it much differently…?
But… we can’t go back. We are the carpenter and every day we hammer a nail… place a board… or erect a wall…
Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project."
Our attitude and the choices we make today, help build the "house" we will live in tomorrow. Therefore, Build wisely!
So, Just for today, I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything and not try to improve or regulate anybody except myself.
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