Clean Slates and Patient Hearts

This was posted by a FB friend this morning 

and it really struck a chord. 
It also made me think of another line 

I'd like to add to it:

and the confidence to form our own opinions.

These lessons have been so terribly lost in today's society.  

People can be incredibly judgmental, 

basing their opinions on what others say 

rather than figuring things out for themselves. 

How often do you approach someone,

already armed with opinions and expectations 

that you've created based upon 

gossip and hearsay?
Or perhaps even impressions they've given you

based only on their outward appearance?

And let's be honest.

There have been times when

you've even created a monster in your mind

only to meet the person and think

"Wow. You know, she's actually very nice."

I confess.

Guilty as charged.

I'm not proud of it.

It's just a fact.

 But I am changing all that.

It's part of a big ol' remodeling I've been undergoing

the last couple of years.

I'm making changes to the only thing in this world

over which I have any real control:
MYSELF.

Important changes are usually the toughest to make.

Being less judgmental is important.

Being kind is important.

Having an open and patient heart is important.

I will create a blank slate for each person I meet.

 I will allow them to write on it 

the story they want me to read.

I will let them be the person they choose to be

rather than forcing them into some mold I've

already chosen for them.

I'll allow them to set the tone of our relationship.

I will follow my own instincts.

And...

I will hope and pray that from this day forward,

others will give me

that same opportunity.

Because,

you know,

people will become what you expect of them.

 It's human nature to respond in kind

to the way others behave toward you.

And more than that...

given good reason to do so,

PEOPLE CHANGE.

Be what you'd like to see in others.

Simple.

Pubescent Hormone Therapy?

There is someone new living just down the hall from me. I used to know the person who occupied that room and even though this new inhabitant resembles her physically, I am certain it isn't the same girl.

The girl who used to live there was happy more often than not and her smile would always light up the room. She was friendly, vibrant and eager to connect with those around her. Hugs were given freely and she always left you feeling better than you felt before you saw her. What a gift.

The current occupant of that room doesn't smile much and has little desire to interact with those around her. She seems distant and isn't very easy to get to know. She also seems a little sad most of the time. And that makes me sad, too.

But I can't 'fix' it. And that breaks this mother's heart.

However, I'm not just sad. I'm also angry at some of the attitude. I'm irritated that the things we allow her to have/do/enjoy have become things to which she now feels entitled as opposed to privileges she should appreciate. This can and will be corrected. I am annoyed that it has come to this because, of course, this makes me the bad guy. But I guess all parents are bad guys from time to time. I'll stop whining about it now.

I know that there are other mothers out there going through the same kind of heartache/aggravation/desperation. I've discussed it with some and read blog posts about it from others. So I've been thinking about pointing out this problem to the medical community. I mean after all, there is HRT for women who have had hysterectomies. Why not some sort of hormone therapy for pubescent girls? P(ubescent) H(ormone) T(herapy). You know, something to transition them more gently from sweet, loving, mommy-adoring little tots to less dependent young ladies who are capable of realizing that they still need their moms.

A 'miracle drug' of sorts.

Yeah, that's the ticket.

But I know that creating new drugs and going through clinical trials and all that takes time. Lots of time. So until PHT is perfected, I guess I'm stuck trying to muddle my way through this just like every other mother of a pre-teen/teen out there. Patience is the key. I keep telling myself that.

P. A. T. I. E. N. C. E.

God, please grant me some more of it.