We certainly cannot enjoy the present moment if we don’t learn to enjoy all different types of people, because many of our moments have people in them. I recently read that most of our unhappiness is caused from people not being what we want them to be or doing what we want them to do, and I couldn’t agree more. That being the case, what is the answer? How can I enjoy the day if I am going to have to deal with annoying people? I have found it helpful to realize that even though they might annoy me, God loves them very much and doesn’t appreciate me having a bad attitude toward anyone.
I cannot enjoy anyone that I am judging critically, so I often say to myself, “Joyce, the way this person acts is none of your business.” Being merciful in my attitude toward others actually helps me enjoy my life and I highly recommend it. I recently encountered a clerk in a shoe store who talked on her cell phone the entire time I was in the store and even when I needed help finding a right size. I was aware that she wanted me to hurry so she could get back to her conversation. She was speaking Spanish so I couldn’t understand her, but as my aggravation mounted I chose to think, Perhaps she is handling some kind of emergency or is dealing with something that is very important to her. I was on the verge of losing my joy, but decided to be merciful and stay happy. I highly recommend it!
God has created all kinds of people with many different temperaments and personalities and I truly believe He enjoys them all. Variety seems to be something that God really delights in. If you have never given this any thought, take a little time and look around you. God created variety and He says that what He has created is good, so I urge you to accept those that are different from you and learn to enjoy them as God does.
We encounter a lot of people. Some of them are by choice, but a lot of them just end up in our life as we go through our day. You will not enjoy a lot of your “present moments” unless you decide to also find a way to enjoy the people who invade them.
Think about It
How often do you fail to enjoy your day because a person isn’t what you want them to be?
