Eat Off Your Best Dishes 3-20-15

No 12. Changing Lives through Dancing
By David Earl Woodbury

Friday, March 20, 2015

David Woodbury

Eat off your Best Dishes!

Instead of always harping on a man’s faults, tell him of his virtues.
Try to pull him out of his rut of bad habits. Hold up to him his
better self, his real self that can dare and do and win out.

— Eleanor Porter (1868-1920) American Novelist

The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.

— William James (1842-1910) American Philosopher and Psychologist

Give those around us that chance to risk it all and try their best, and let them make mistakes.  I worked for someone once to whom I admitted making a mistake. She said “That’s OK as long as you don’t make another one!” That killed my relationship with her and my eroded my confidence for a while.

I am very busy in my life always trying new things, and making a lot of mistakes along the way. I learn from them, and I also have some great successes.  When I fail, I remember the grace of those around who help and rescue me, and I try to remember that support when those around me have challenges. Also, I try to celebrate my achievements and the successes of those around me.

Hold up others to their better selves and see what happens to them. Regarding those around us who we want to give up on, remember we only recognize the faults in other that are prominent in our own lives. Also remember, those around us that bug us to distraction are sent to us to teach us patience and forgiveness.

Now, on to eating off of good dishes…

During the Northridge earthquake in 1994, I remember being violently jolted awake to discover that my home full of broken glass and chaos. I remember reaching for my flashlight on my bed stand, only to find that the stand had been thrown across the room. As I went down to my kitchen, I saw in horror that the floor was covered with my broken Waterford crystal, mixed in with pieces of my best china, the contents of my opened fridge, and all my spilled dried goods, all mixed up together all over the floor.

As I threw away all my broken treasures, I vowed to use my good crystal and china for the rest of my life.  I would not allow another day to go by without eating off my good dishes.  If they get broken, it will be from using them, not storing them! This has become a theme in my life, “Eat off your good dishes” in every area of life.  I share with others to always be their best, dance their best and act their best.  I say, “Dance to your full potential”, “Live your day to the fullest”. This always brings a smile to others they understand that NOW is the time to shine and use all of our gifts.

Peace,

David Woodbury