By Sunny Simon
It was peaceful on the plane. Most people were sleeping and I was deeply engrossed in my book. Somewhere over Arkansas I came across this quote, “Always keep your words soft and sweet, one day you might have to eat them.” I sighed and smiled. I was returning from Nashville after spending five days with my three best friends. My trip to Music City was filled with love and loads of laughter. Speaking to these women in soft, sweet tones was beyond easy. It was a natural as breathing.
Reflecting on the quote I thought about times when soft and sweet does not come easy. Another quote popped into my head, this one from the Bible, “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other.” Now that, my friend, is one tall order and anything but natural.
Most of us have a certain someone in our life who challenges us to our very core when it comes to turning our cheek and offering up some sugar. Often that person is a family member which makes loving communication next to impossible. The question is, how do we successfully deal with the brother who is hurtful or the step-sister whose dysfunction turns a civil relationship into a gargantuan endeavor?
Let’s break it down into bite-sized pieces. Begin with the understanding that it’s going to be painful. Yes, I know the thought of serving up soft and sweet to your arch enemy is cringe-worthy. Swallowing your pride and giving kindness to the person in your life who least deserves your love takes guts and grit. Know that occasionally it will come back to bite you.
Kindness is a choice. You decide. Should you give into the desire for instant gratification by telling that person how you really feel, or is it better to opt for tender hearted words? The good news is taking the high road, makes you a better person. At the end of the day, kindness allows you to sleep well at night knowing your behavior was beyond reproach.
Feel like challenging yourself this week? Commit to acting in a loving manner to “you know who.” No doubt the individual hardest to love probably needs it the most. If you take the time to study his or her circumstances, you may understand some of the misguided behavior. Even if you cannot come to terms with why your friend or relative acts out, proceed with compassion verbiage. In the end, soft and sweet is much more pleasing to the palate.
Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com
