There are three constants in life... change, choice and principles.
Stephen Covey
He was late...
...I was on time
It was the end of a long, rainy day. As I was about to head out of my office hurriedly a young man stepped in, forty five minutes late to his appointment. As was customary, I slung my bad over my shoulders in preparation for my long awaited freedom.
'Sorry for being late, doc, can you still see me?'
'Sorry, but I have to leave...' the words came out. Now, did I really HAVE to? Life is all about choices, and it is WE WHO DECIDE the course of action to be taken.
'Sorry, but I HAVE TO say it, I know it hurts'
'Sorry, but I HAVE TO move away, you can come after me'
'Sorry, but I HAD TO sell it, I know you wanted it'
Where is it written as an universal law that we HAVE TO do something? 'Should do' and 'have to do' are two very different phrases.We don't absolutely have to do anything, and because we are ashamed of our (sometimes selfish) actions we add an empty 'SORRY' that pleases just our ears, but in reality does nothing else.
So I caught myself in that lie. 'To be honest with you I want to leave, but this time I won't.'
Half an hour later I was hearing the story of this young man, who was late and had made me mad at him for such 'sin'. But he wasn't simply late, his tardiness, my perceived 'insult' because he was at home thinking after a failed attempt to end his life.
And here I was being one of these fools saying 'I HAVE to leave'.
That day, my lack of arrogance, selfishness and dishonesty brought strength to someone else, and gave life to an experience that added experience to my life.
He was late...
...thank God, for I was right on time.
Lesson learned: The only thing in life we HAVE TO DO is choose. Choose wisely, for it will affect the future of how we live, laugh, and love.
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