We can only see what is in front of our eyes; we cannot see the history.

We see anger but not the earlier years of abuse or fear

• We see selfishness but not the previous poverty of love
• We see self-centeredness and self-righteousness but not the low self-esteem or the despair of self-loathing.
• We see the inability to engage in healthy relationships but not the absence of spiritual core with lack of healthy self-love.

Yes, each person is accountable for their current actions; each person is responsible to recognize their mistakes and shortcomings that interfere with their lives; each will be offered multiple opportunities to choose change. However, the unfortunate may lack the necessary humility to admit their deficiencies, the desire or the courage to change, or not have a guide and viable process for change; they may reject a spiritual solution for living problems; or they may just be having a bad moment or terrible day.

Whenever we encounter such objectionable conduct, it is our choice how we allow it to affect us. Do we share the light to provide illumination or contribute to the darkness? Let us show:

• tolerance, not anger
• patience, not a quick response
• love of the hard-to-love, not retaliation
• the willingness to walk away, not to engage in pointless conflict
• the power and beauty of a sprit-led life, not the desperate charade of self-driven will

If we are among the fortunate; we must be an expression of truth.

Prayer:  Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.