The world is a large and varied place. The part I live and interact with is my personal kingdom. A big part of my kingdom I have "no" control over and yet another big part I "do" have control over. So the "BIG" question for me is to understand which is which. The reality of the world may wish to impose itself upon me, however I may choose to reject a lot of that in my own kingdom ... or not. Ultimately it is up to me. Hmmm ... how about you?
So this morning I went to pick up a set of keys to the building I'll be working in. I received a call two days ago saying my fingerprint paperwork had come back and I could pick up my set of keys any time this week between 8 am and 2 pm at the campus. This would allow me the freedom to set up my classroom at my leisure and review any of the curriculum books that aren't allowed off campus. I had a full day yesterday and had stopped by in between running about during the said hours ... twice. There were people there, however, no one with keys for me. Hmmm ... This morning I was waiting in the parking lot at quarter til 8 to catch my contact person who "had" to be there at 8 am to open the building up for the summer day camp that is going on there. He was late. When I saw him at the door, I got out of my car and went to get what I'd come for. My brain was having an irritating conversation inside my head. It was frustrated over the having to chase down what it thought should have been a simple task. It wanted my mouth to say something smart (maybe not so smart ...) about the situation and having to play tag to get my keys. But in my kingdom that wouldn't have been the correct thing to do. Instead I just smiled and said "Good morning!" When the man looked up it was evident he was having a rough and difficult time with something. He gave me a kind yet weak smile and invited me inside while he turned things on and dug out my keys. Apparently he is moonlighting and his night-time boss had him do an unexpected double shift last night and yesterday there was some equipment failure and he had to run about town for replacement parts and stay late on his day job. Whew! I am so glad I choose to act in my kingdom and not the world's. This man has a wife going through major health issues and has four children at home with no family to help out. Somehow a bit of inconvenience to get a set of keys didn't seem like such a big deal after all. My mom used to tell me, "If you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all." Ah, hence one of the rules in my kingdom. How about yours?
It is time for me to explore my kingdom of relationships with friends, the world around me and my inner self. Life is an adventure. It is not a dress rehearsal and I want to learn something new about myself and my surroundings. I invite you to do the same.
Stay safe, find the joy in your day and keep smiling sunshine.