Thinking Out Loud
Royal Flush

March 4, 2012
By: Diane Szczepanski

"It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you're finished"
Debbie Macomber, Mrs. Miracle

Walk in my shoes for a week, I dare you.

I'm battling a cold, paperwork the size of Mt. Kilimanjaro on my desk and a teen son who really DOES think I was born yesterday.

I've spent the better part of it fighting a craving for chocolate, a nagging sinus headache and persistently and painfully dry, cracked cuticles.

There have been several moments of wishing I had a self-cleaning basement, more money to spend and less taxes to pay and a car that could run on the hot air of some people I know.

But, maybe my life isn't any different than yours.

I guess we forget we're all in this human race thing together.

The narcissistic, self-involved creatures that we are, tend to believe our problems or burdens are unique only to our own egotistical selves.

But, if I think about it honestly, I would place a pretty certain bet you're just as annoyed at the state of how quickly the laundry seems to pile up and how slowly the savings account seems to grow.

Your teen is battling for control, independence and their place in the world, just like mine is.

You get sick of trying to figure out the checkbook, what to have for dinner every night, and how you'll pay for college when you can't even afford the book bags they have out now.

We have all felt over-whelmed, over-tired and over-worked at one time or another. Just as we have all convinced ourselves some days, that we are under-paid, under-appreciated and mis-understood.

But, rather than wallow in any further self pity, since it really is a rather unattractive and heavy cloak to wear, I will make this pact to myself.

I will recognize that as different as our perceptions of the world around us are, as we go through our daily motions, it IS the same world.

This week, I will attempt to see and hear life not only through my own eyes and ears, but from the eyes and ears of those around me.

This week, I will pay not so much attention to my own needs and burdens, but to the needs of friends, family and strangers alike and how I might help lighten the load of some of THEIR burdens.

This week, maybe you should dare me walk in YOUR shoes.

It could be good for the soul and a great reminder that my fellow mans feelings are just as, if not more important, than my own feelings.

I'm giving self-pity a good flush now.

So, go on. Dare me.