Yesterday I was having one of those days. I was in a funk, and did not know how to get out of it. So, I decided to take a walk, and that helped; it usually does. But I could feel that I needed something else to restore me to a good place. I was feeling sad, and I could sense that I was in an anger phase. Conversations with a couple of people did not help. “Why” I was feeling these feelings does not really matter. What matters is the “how,” how I was going to behave while in this phase.

Our actions are so important. We, or better said, “I,” sometimes forget how powerful our behavior, even our words, are. This last sentence is a good example. I should focus on me, no one else. While “we” may be a true statement, “I” is how I should really word my thoughts.

It is so easy to focus on the behavior of others, especially when we are not at our best. It is easier to think about what others are doing that bothers us than to figure out what we need to do to take responsibility for our own behavior. While this is true, it does not change the fact that it may be important to have hard conversations with those we are closest to. We should be very careful, however, and be willing to accept the consequences of those conversations.

We are entering a difficult time of the year. While the last couple of months of the year, specifically November and December, are filled with good times, they are also filled with stress, worry, and challenges. We do not always know the burdens others are carrying. I want to be mindful of the fact that while I know what my challenges and difficulties are, and think I know what those of my closest friends and family are, I really don’t. We can make too many assumptions about others. (There is that “we” word again, but I think I will leave it.)

I want to behave in a manner that helps others. I want to be careful of my words, especially when I know that I am not at my best. While I want to protect myself and not make my challenges any worse, this is probably not the time to have conversations that are too honest with my closest friends and family. Stress abounds, and it is too easy to make things worse for me and others by being too honest. I am not encouraging dishonesty, just discretion.

Yesterday I had an interaction with someone that made my day much better than it began. A woman that I did not know complimented me on my appearance. Her words were very specific, and touched me at a time that a simple compliment made all of the difference in how I was feeling. While this may seem shallow on my part, it reinforced to me two facts.

One, we never know what others are dealing with or feeling. And we do not need to. The second fact is that when we reach out and touch someone in a positive manner, we may never know how much our words were needed.

Thank you for taking your time to read my musings. I write what I need to remember, and if it is beneficial to others, I am touched and grateful.

Happy Halloween!