Do you think a writer’s stories reflect how they would like real life to be? Probably not if they are horror writers or into vampires and werewolves but in most books, even horror, the general theme is good versus evil. My work of fiction is reflective of the world that I would prefer. A peaceful world of humans helping humans, bringing out the good in each other. Oh it’s not all good, there are some bad guys but the main characters are good. Not Mother Theresa good but kind of heart.
The saying “you can’t change people” is true but there is someone you can change and by doing so may change another. The one you can change is you. You have power over your life. Yes I know there are many things that happen that are out of our control but for the most part you choose….
You choose how you react to life’s little surprises. Do you throw in the towel and convince yourself everyone is against you and you will never succeed or do you pull yourself up and try another day? So much in life which happens to us is either purposely or inadvertently chosen by us.
Let me explain. Say for instance you are in a rush to get to an important job interview and someone takes the parking place you were waiting for.
Do you:
Yell at them with a few expletives…
Grit your teeth, smile, wave and decide you were meant to walk a little more today and find another spot…..
Now remember the choice you just made, you walk into your interview and the person who took your parking place is sitting behind the desk. Let’s hope you made the right choice above.
If you chose the first one, your face is probably crimson red and you are hoping they don’t recognize you. Too late, they did and you are off to a bad start. No matter what your credentials are you made a bad first impression, so the chances of you getting this position are not good.
Or you chose to smile at the offender and find another parking place. Good choice, the person behind the desk is a little red and apologetic now. You just increased your odds of getting this position.
Back to my earlier point, you were in control. Not total control but you were in control of “your” actions and it was “your” action that helped or hindered your prospect.
So every time you think of being rude to someone just remember they may be the one to decide your fate at some point.
If each of us behaved in an adult, respectable manner the Power of One would be tremendous. Can you imagine? A civil world, caring people. No more hateful souls sitting at a keyboard writing despicable things solely because their main goal in life is to make everyone as miserable as they are.
Although there is a lot more mystery and choices to be made in my books, this is basically my theme for The Descendants trilogy. The power we all hold within us to do good. I am not saying that you should never disagree or always give in. It is how it is done that is important. If someone starts yelling or cursing at me, I am done, my ears are closed and I move on. No matter how “right” they may have been they lost me with their attitude. If they offer intelligent conversation to explain their view-point I am listening and engaged.
Kindness, compassion and civility show someone’s strength. My stories are about people trying to make a better world, helping those in need, offering an ear for those who need someone to listen to them, all the goodness in mankind. I can escape into the world of good and bathe in the light. I am ever hopeful that the day will come when there is peace and kindness in our world. One by one, the Power of each “One” will make the difference.
When you are having a bad day try doing something nice for someone and see the difference your choice makes.
