My OperaA Benefit of Age?
Thursday, March 3, 2011 5:54:24 PM
I was doing some cleaning today and found a ticket stub from a sporting event held recently. Ten years ago I would have stashed that stub somewhere with the intent of putting it in a "scrapbook." Today I tossed it in the garbage without a second thought.
I wonder if, as we become older, we begin to recognize and appreciate the things that REALLY matter in life more than the silly little things that have no eternal ramifications at all?
For instance: a friend of mine had her feelings hurt pretty badly by one of her friends and peers. Rather than let that hurt and anger simmer in her mind for weeks, she chose to dismiss the comments of her friend by saying, "She doesn't know me that well, nor does she know my circumstances. She doesn't have the right to judge me, so it's not important what she thinks." She was quite sincere in her expression of this dismissal.
I was pretty impressed by my friend's maturity. I experienced a similar situation with someone else the same day, and as my friend and I talked about our situations, I marvelled at her equanimity and her ability to dismiss the hurtful, judgmental words of the woman in question.
I've been reading a book called "The Power of Resilience," by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein. (GREAT book!) My friend displayed an amazing sense of resilience when she chose to dismiss the hurtful words of her acquaintance.
I wonder if I'll ever be mature enough to do that myself?
I wonder if, as we become older, we begin to recognize and appreciate the things that REALLY matter in life more than the silly little things that have no eternal ramifications at all?
For instance: a friend of mine had her feelings hurt pretty badly by one of her friends and peers. Rather than let that hurt and anger simmer in her mind for weeks, she chose to dismiss the comments of her friend by saying, "She doesn't know me that well, nor does she know my circumstances. She doesn't have the right to judge me, so it's not important what she thinks." She was quite sincere in her expression of this dismissal.
I was pretty impressed by my friend's maturity. I experienced a similar situation with someone else the same day, and as my friend and I talked about our situations, I marvelled at her equanimity and her ability to dismiss the hurtful, judgmental words of the woman in question.
I've been reading a book called "The Power of Resilience," by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein. (GREAT book!) My friend displayed an amazing sense of resilience when she chose to dismiss the hurtful words of her acquaintance.
I wonder if I'll ever be mature enough to do that myself?
Moontan the TrueMoontan01 # Monday, September 5, 2011 3:06:28 AM
Wouldn't it be nice if we all could react like that? Your friend is a rare person in that regard, I think.