Thank You Goes a Long Way!

  As I try to maintain my own manners in a world that insists on pushing me to my limits I have found that being polite can bring about miraculous changes in my life. Being polite for me requires that I take my attitude into my own hands. People bump you and don't say excuse me, they drop things and walk right by, and please has become a begging word instead of a magic word.  I see it all the time with my students, and I try to encourage them to be polite.  It is seriously an uphill battle to get student to even say I'm sorry.   My own son was born with company manners, but his toddler status has him leaving those manners behind for wining, crying, and fussing. So how do I manage to maintain composure?  I start off my my day saying thank you.  It really does make a difference! It doesn't always work like I expect, but God always gives me what I need to at least make it through.  I still lose my center sometimes, and in those moments I just take a step back and find something to be grateful for. I remember one time where someone made me feel so bad that I couldn't hold back the tears, and in that moment I just said "Thank you God that you never make me feel this way."  It didn't stop the tears, but it changed something in me.  My thanks to God is almost an act of defiance to the world that tells me that there is nothing to smile about, no reason to do better than what everyone else is doing.  This world is full of lies, but Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  I choose to follow Jesus.  You see when you live like this world you have to follow the world's rules, but when you live like a citizen of the Kingdom of God you follow different rules. I am determined to say thank you no matter what everyone else is saying.  I will also say please, excuse me, and I'm sorry.  I will show love and concern for others even when they don't show it for me, and I will bless the Lord at all times.  Thank you Lord for your keeping power.  This world really is trying to drive us all crazy. I've decided instead to drive the world crazy with my manners and love.  In your face world!!!  Yes, I am blessed, Yes I am smiling, and Yes I will act like I have some sense no matter how you treat me. 
 

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