John P. Schulz: Find The Living Room

Quotes and Notes #280, August 11

Things are not always as they seem

“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.”—Edmund Burke—

Without knowing a persons circumstances, don’t jump to conclusions. Here’s a short story:

You may or may not know that, due to misfortune, I must push a button on my throat to activate my voice device. This means that if I am carrying something in both hands, I am vocally challenged.

I was coming out of the grocery store the other day with both hands holding bags of goods. A man passed me going in the opposite direction and said, pleasantly, “Good morning, have a nice day.” That was nice. I fumbled with transferring my load to get a hand free to answer him but as I was almost in a position to speak, I heard him say harshly, “Well, don’t answer then. That was rude.” And he walked on.

That bothered me somehow. I paused in thought. I thought I could go stand in front of him and embarrass him by replying to his salutation. I thought several thoughts.

Then I realized that he was not actually sharing a smile because he had expected something in return. I shrugged my shoulders, said, “Oh Well,” and I walked on.

Today share a real smile
Everything is going to be all right.
John P. Schulz—“Sweetie Drives on Chemo Days.”