Monday, December 03, 2007

Consider your response carefully!

Let us be slow to judge and quick to respond to anyone needs. Nevertheless, we must consider our response carefully. Below is a story that illustrates the point.

A soldier who was fighting in Vietnam War called home one day to his parents. He told them that he would be coming home soon.

The parents were elated and told him that they wished he could come home the soonest possible. When the soldier told them that he would be coming home with a friend, the parents welcomed that. However, when he told them that this friend had lost a leg and an arm during the war and he would be staying with them permanently, the father rejected him straight away.

He said that handicapped people would add burden to the family so he would not welcome his friend to stay with them for long term. He suggested this friend of his to think of a way himself to settle his problem. Upon hearing this, the soldier hung up the phone.

A few days later, the parents were informed by the police that their son committed suicide. When they went for identification, they were stunned when they saw their son having only one leg and one arm.

(Thanks to Honman for the above story)

To the soldier, I think the following quote is appropriate:
Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.” - Lao Tzu


The above story really gave me some insights and wisdom.

Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.” - Joanne Kathleen Rowling

“The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.” - Brian Tracy

What do you think? Do you agree that we need to respond carefully?

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18 comments:

Trix said...

An amazing post,Sam, and I can see how you learnt a lot from it.It also seems to point out strongly that many people are unwilling to accept someone, or a situation, that isnt perfect.This poor soldier felt like a total failure and burden, as his father wasnt willing to accept a 'friend' with a few missing limbs.How sad that it ended in his suicide.
It is indeed a post that makes one ponder deeply and hopefully remember that the Spirit is still strong, even in a body that is injured and damaged!
Hope you and your dear family are well and doing great :)

Jesse..

lilifxt said...

hi sam im really impressed with that story if we really be more aware and careful of what we say things will completely be different sometimes we could hurt others with realizing that
yhanks for reminding me its right all about understanding and acceptance

God Bless

Maithri said...

Hello Sam,

You have a lovely blog and this is an amazing post.

It reminds me of the line in St Francis' prayer 'Grant that I may never seek, so much to be understood as to understand'.

Understanding can be so hard. Especially when the response of another provokes an immediate visceral response within us.

But understanding, whilst it takes a bit of thinking and 'brain work', is the only true way to create peace, at a personal and global level.

What an insightful, beautiful piece to share,

Blessings of light and peace,

Maithri

surjit singh said...

Hi Sam,
A thought provoking and touching post. It has stirred my soul.It contains a great message:
“The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.” -
Thanks for sharing.

Tawnya Shields said...

Hi Sam,
That story really broke my heart. That little piece speaks volumes to all that would stop and take a time out to read it. Do you think in this hustle and bustle world that it is becoming the norm for others to speak without thinking? I try to treat not only friends and family but strangers with kindness and respect. Hopefully this will make some sort of difference. I pray each day that people's hearts will open to love and understanding instead of fear and pain. That seems to be the motivation for all this sadness we have in the world.... the lack of love for self thus a lack for each other. Sorry I went off on a tangent. Your post spoke to my soul deeply.:o)

Blessings,
Tawnya

FL Sam said...

What a nice post. We must really think carefully before we give a response. Think twice and be a good listener.:)

Trinity said...

Sad story... oh how I have to be always careful to give responds to others especially to my kids!

Our beloved ones who live and meet us everyday are the most possible ones who can be hurt by our responds...

May God granted us love and understanding every single minute!

WaterLearner said...

Good one. Yes, sometimes we are most unaware of our responses to those who are closest to us. Such tardiness can at times be quite a strain in relationships.

Thanks for this inspiring post!

Sam Chan said...

Hi Jesse,

Thanks for adding your insightful views. You are right! Many people are not willing to accept someone that isn't perfect unless it is someone that they love very much! Besides, self-acceptance is a must to move on in life.

Thanks for your great wishes. Hope you and your family are well too!

Lots of love to you, Jesse.

Sam Chan said...

Hi Lili,

Thanks for sharing your valuable thoughts.

Indeed, whatever we says can sometimes have great impact to the listener. Thus, we have to be understanding and very careful with our words. Whatever we do, we can be doing to ourself or our loves one!

God bless.

Sam Chan said...

Hi Maithri,

Thanks for your kind and motivating words. I am glad that you liked my blog. Indeed, understanding can be so hard at times unless we are in the person shoes. Sometimes, inappropriate words spoken at the wrong time can cause lots of harm.

Love St Francis prayer "Grant that I may never seek, so much to be understood as to understand".

Thanks for adding your meaningful views.

Good Day to you, Maithri!

Sam Chan said...

Hi Surjit,

You're welcome. Indeed, we can learn a lot from this thought provoking and touching story. FYI, when I stumbled upon this story, I immediate seek Honman's permission to share it with all my readers and I am glad it has also stirred your soul.

Blessings to you, Surjit.

Sam Chan said...

Hi Tawnya,

True this little post really can speaks volumes to those who are willing to spend some time to read.

I also think so... The hustle and bustle world could had made it a norm for many to speak without thinking. Your kind act will definitely makes a difference.

Thanks for your nice prayer. May your prayer be answered so that everybody will remember to be gracious and kind to anybody at all times.

Blessings to you, Tawnya.

Sam Chan said...

Hi Sam,

Thanks for adding your insightful views. Indeed, we have to think twice and be slow to speak! May we learn to give good moral support to all by responding correctly.

Blessings to you, Sam.

Sam Chan said...

Hi Trinity,

Thanks for sharing your valuable thoughts. Yup, may God grant us love and understanding so that we can always give correct respond to anybody. Then, all those we communicate to will always be uplifted.

Blessings to you and your family.

Sam Chan said...

Hi Karen,

Thank you for your insight and wisdom! Indeed, sometimes we may not be aware of our responses to those closest to us. Let's become wiser by learning profound lessons from this story.

Blessings to you, Karen.

Krishna. N. C. said...

Dear Sam,
What a wonderful blog! i am so happy to have found you:-)
I went through your older posts and they are simply amazing, so many pearls of wisdom scattered all over your blog!
Thank you so much for sharing all these with us and making life seem really beautiful;-) Will sure visit you very often for my daily dose of inspiration dear. I have already added you in my Favourite blog list.
God bless you:-))

Sam Chan said...

Dear Krishna,

Thank you for your compliment on my blog. I am glad that you liked my blog. Do let me know if you think the content needs improvement. I really appreciate whatever feedback. I hope to learn from you.

Looking forward for your future visit.

Blessings to you, Krishna.