Sometimes we want what we want and that’s the bottom line.  No negotiating and no waiting.  It reminds me of when my son was a toddler.  I loved him to pieces! ( Stilldo )  When he didn’t get his way he would totally throw a hissy fit.  Whether it be an extra dramatic crying session or a pout faced frown, which usually was followed by an act of stubborn rebellion.

     Though with a child, we tend to bend and fold to accommodate and/or make them comfortable.  At least to an extent. As parents, we think we always know what’s best for our little people.  But in retrospect, we could actually be conscientiously be preparing our children for a world of let downs, disappointments, and possible failure; (it’s real out there).  Thank GOD that we can always recover from stressful let downs of the world as we continue to learn and grow, while living!  A mindful dose of respect will indeed carry us a long way.  We may not always understand the things we choose to respect, but know that it’s always for our better good.

     This very lesson I know all too well.  I also was once that unruly toddler that had to have its way.  I carried that sense of entitlement over into my adulthood.  Not cute at all!  I used to think that the world and every thing in it revolved around precious, little ole’ me.  Boy was I in for a rude awakening (over time, of course).  I naturally assumed that my blessed upbringing would automatically carryover into my adulthood.  Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely grateful for the way I was raised.  I couldn’t be more proud of my foundation that my family established for my siblings and I.  Yet, I have had my share of disappointments, and setbacks too.  

     There was a time when I thought the world and the people in it were at my disposal.  I just knew that they were to bend and fold at my every desire, and if they refused, they were dismissed and replaced.  If you think my mindset was irrational or far-fetched, you should’ve seen me in full-fledged action!  (LOL!)  I had to come to grips with a lot.  Some of it was painful, and some it was well overdue.  But I survived and made it through because I’m still here.  Learning and still growing!  My work is never done.  I choose to strive to become a better, new and improved version of myself everyday.  Everyday I learn something new, everyday I challenge myself to get better, do better, be better.  I can never reach my best me, if I don’t get up each day and try and do better than the day before.  No matter how many mistakes, I still have an opportunity to improve with the next try.

     So in the meantime, I’ve learned and have chosen to respect people, culture, beliefs, time, money, personalities, work, rules, structure, higher power, and everything else that this world and spiritual realms has to offer.  Even if I don’t understand them all!  I know that  it is a vital part of who I am and how I choose to live my life.  It plays a part in the decisions I make and how I view myself, and view people.  It helps me to see the areas in which I have overcome, and the areas in which I still need to grow.  The very things that I expect of others are the things I should first expect of myself.  This process has allowed me to live in peace, patience, love, respect, understanding and honor.  And the behavior of anything contrary has been disabled by choice, wisdom and growth.

#KNOWBETTERDOBETTER