Thoughtfulness…

We sometimes wonder what others think of us, but most of they time they do not think of us at all. Often, they are so absorbed with their own thoughts, with their own problems, with the impressions they are making on others, that they are all but unaware of us, even as we are often unaware of them⎯except perhaps somewhat superficially.

But with thoughtfulness we learn to know that every person has his problems, that no one can always be at his best, that every one has good days and bad, times of encouragement and times of downright despondency.

With thoughtfulness we learn that what seemed to be a slight may not have been intended so at all⎯and we learn not to be supersensitive, not to imagine offenses that are not intended. With thoughtfulness we learn to deal gently with the lives and the hurts and the hearts of others, and to hold the tongue and the temper. We learn to see the problems of those who are younger, who need understanding and kindness and encouragement⎯and also of those who are older, who for a different reason, need understanding and kindness and encouragement.

With thoughtfulness we learn to live with problems that seem all but insoluble. We learn to hold on, to wait for a mood to change, for people to modify, for the difficult day to pass. We learn something of the enduring values. We learn patience and prayerfulness and understanding⎯faith for the present hour, and faith for the future.