You've Got the Power

       So, we all know people who seem to be stuck in some behavior that is not beneficial to their well being or the well being of their friends and families.  And to get a little more personal, most of us have areas in our lives that we are not happy with but we just tolerate them.  Often times we come up with excuses as to why we can't change ourselves or the situation that we find ourselves in. My thought is that often times, if I change, my situation will change.

       When I am driving my school bus I sometimes have students who want to behave in a way that is not safe for themselves or others.  When this happens and they do not respond to my request, I have a choice to make.  I can't force them do what I want them to, but I can choose how I want to respond. Yesterday on the bus I had a student who would not sit down because he did not want to be three to a seat.  While I understand his dilemma, I did not feel safe driving with him standing up with his back to the front.  It is also against the bus rules.   When I asked him to sit down he ignored me.  When I said the bus would not move until he sat down, he ignored me again.  When I shut the bus off and walked back to where he was and discussed it with him, he sat down.  I said I was sorry, meaning I was sorry that the bus was full and he had to be uncomfortable for a few minutes.  When he got off the bus I said goodbye and sorry, however he was quite angry and though I did not understand what he said, I am sure it was some kind of veiled threat.
       My point here is that I am not responsible for other people's choices but that I am responsible for my mine.  The main issue here is that we always have a choice whether we feel like it or not.  If someone is mean to me, I have a choice.  I can be mean back or respond with love and grace for their best interest. The never return evil for evil kind of thing.  But the fact that I have a choice means that I have power.  I have power to do the right thing.  Maybe I am being naive, but to me, thinking otherwise is to give up my power.  If we say we have to continue a certain behavior because that is how we are made, we are giving up our power.  If we have made the wrong choice 100 times, on the 101st time we still have a choice.
       If I have a conflict with someone and I decide that there is nothing I can do until they change, I give up my power.  Oftentimes the only power I have is over me.  I can choose and I can change me.   If I change me, my circumstances will usually follow at some point.  And really, many times it is our thinking and our attitude that should change.  Sometimes I hear bus drivers complain about the kids on the bus.  But as I was sweeping my bus this morning I was thinking I should want the best for all these kids.  Who knows, one of them might grow up to be the doctor I need when I get older.  I believe that kind of thinking will produce better results on my bus.
       I've said all this because I want to give hope to you if you are feeling hopeless.  There is always hope.  Keep trying to be the best you you can be and in the words of Winston Churchill, "Never give up."  Just a thought.
       Next week a funny story.  Funny for you and maybe a little embarrassing for me.  Don't miss "How Did He Know That?"  Oh, and by the way,  have a great week!