Discernment
Curbing reaction and making a choice to operate with integrity and authenticity
Yesterday I was waiting in line and the person behind be grabbed the attention of the clerk to ask a question. That action led the clerk to assisting the person and I was ignored. The inquiry was not a simple one and I ended up waiting another ten minutes before I was served.
As my frustration mounted during the wait, I was also attempting to decide if I should say something. And if I was going to say something, what would it be. Telling the sales clerk what happened would not put me in the correct place in line, telling the person they jumped the line was pointless, I believe they knew exactly what they were doing.
But I wanted to be heard and seen. I wanted fairness and justice.
However, with many moons on this earth, I am well aware the world isn’t fair. Often times, it is not just. So what is the point in being right? As Wayne Dyer says, “Be happy, not right.” When I read this in one of his many works in 2008 as I went through the negotiations of a legal contract, I recognized the truth of this statement.
I can be right and be a person that no one wants to encounter. Or I can choose to accept that there is injustice in the world, do my part to operate with integrity, help those who need help, and live in alignment with my values. Easy to write, harder to live, but invaluable to practice.
Here’s how:
Be generous with my assumptions about the person. Perhaps there is some pressing need, perhaps they cannot see what is happening.
Be aligned by seeing that we both share a common goal. There person at the store wanting service, I want service. The clerk wanting to serve.
Be adaptable in expectations. It’s going to take longer than I hoped. It’s not going to go as I planned.
Be consistent in how I show up. Be consistent in living by my values and operating from a place of integrity.
Be the person you want to appear to be and let go of the need for others to be who you think they should be and you can be happier.