Today in line at the grocery store I was ahead of a woman who was wearing an oxygen tube attached to a small bag that she was carrying. As she waited behind me, she leaned on the grocery counter, seemingly exhausted from her shopping. I noticed the strong smell of cigarette smoke wafting my way. It was not the smell of a lit cigarette, but of clothing which had been steeped in smoke over a long period of time. As I was gathering my purchases together I heard her ask the cashier for two cartons of cigarettes. Being a person who smoked in my 20's but was able to quite when I decided I didn't want to do it anymore, I have a strong opinion about smoking. Everyone knows it's dangerous, smelly, expensive, addictive and inconvenient. I have been very judgemental about those who still choose to smoke, after all, shouldn't we all know better by now? This lady was obviously suffering from lack of oxygen and who know what other health issues because of smoking. Turning to leave, instead of the usual judgement I was expecting to feel, I was flooded by love for this person. As I walked out the door, I was fighting back tears of compassion. How sad for her to be suffering from such an addiction that even the loss of her ability to breathe easily could not overcome her need to smoke. How awful that must be for her. And what had happened to me?? After all these years, how could my point of view have changed so dramatically without me even being aware of it?
I sat in my car considering the possibilities. It had to be Michael of course. He is the one who has changed me from the inside out. I have not even been trying to let go of my judgements, after all, some things are just wrong, rude, or bad. There are consequences to actions, this is how we learn. Michael would agree with that wouldn't he? Still, I had to admit that it felt better to love this woman rather than criticize her poor decisions which I had no knowledge of anyway. Has His love seeped into me enough that I can feel such compassion naturally in a situation where judgement seems justified?
Is this what He means when he says Love is the Answer? If we all loved one another, would people not need to smoke anymore? Would we naturally rise to be our best selves? I have no idea HOW it could work that way, but I have a feeling that it does. Thank you Michael, for this wonderful gift today.
2 comments:
You`re right Michael never judged a person for any unpleasant habits often he had to deal with musician who wanted to smoke and drink during some rehearsals . Michael just said:" Really, you shouldn`t smoke, okay, give them wahat they takes" He shut the door of his own studio went in another room and never mentioned
a word again.
You`re right! Michael never judged a person he had to deal with a lot of people with unpleasant habits. There were musicians they were smoking and drinking during a rehearsal in Michaels studio, He just said:"Give them what they takes" "But you really shouldn`t smoke " Michael shut the door and went on working in another room. He didn`t ever mention a word for smoking to them.
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