Do you think of yourself as a kind and loving person?  Are you, really?

If we squeeze an orange, the only thing that comes out of the orange, is orange juice.  There is no chance that we will get grape juice or anything else from the orange.  When someone “squeezes” you, what comes out?   When the waiter is too slow or brings the wrong order, how do you react?  When you’re stuck in traffic and late for an appointment, what do you instinctively do?

Many of us think of ourselves as being kind and loving people and most of the time we are, but for many of us, including me, there are moments when we do not live up to our own expectations.   Do you ever find it difficult to maintain your calm and loving demeanor when incompetent, insensitive or rude people cross your path?  How about those times when inconvenient situations slow you down?  To truly be a kind and loving person, shouldn’t kindness and love be the only behaviors that come out of us when we are “squeezed”?  Yes, there are times when we have to stand up for ourselves, but we can still do it in a kind and respectful manner.  

No, we are not expected to be perfectly in control of our emotions all the time, but having a goal of being less reactive and more compassionate and accepting, can only benefit us.  To achieve this, we listen to the signals we receive from our own body.  If you are feeling stirred up, angry or impatient, that is your inner GPS trying to get your attention.  It is trying to tell you to proceed with caution.  Now is not the time to have a conversation with your spouse, your boss or your teenager.  It is time to get quiet and let the upset feelings pass.  

The next time someone or something “squeezes” you, what will come out?  Kindness? Love?