A quiet ride on the EMPATHY TRAIN

If you've ever been to New York City, then you know how crazy and chaotic it can be, and especially if you've ever been on the subway. I want you to imagine this is a Sunday morning. 
It's early, it's super quiet. This gentleman is sitting on the train, headed into town, just reading his paper and drinking his coffee.

At one of the stops, the silence is shattered as the doors open. A man walks on the train with his 4 kids, and they are going absolutely crazy. 
They're running up and down the train, they're screaming, shouting, climbing all over everything, and at one point they even knocked the paper out of this gentleman's hands. 
Well, understandably, he's upset. He goes to the father and he says, “can’t you control your children? They're running up and down the train, they're screaming, shouting, climbing all over everything.” He said, “they even knocked the paper out of my hands.” As the father looks up, he says…”sir, we just came from the hospital, and their mother has just died.” He said, “I'm not sure I know what to tell them to do, and I'm not sure that they know how they're supposed to be acting right now.” The irritated, upset gentleman said, “I am so sorry.” 


That's change in attitude is called a paradigm shift, and in an instant, irritation turns to heartfelt empathy and understanding. Sometimes we just need to take a deep breath. 
Try to put ourselves in somebody else's shoes and exercise just an ounce of compassion.

St. Paul shares with us in the book of Philippians 2:3-4
”Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, rather in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interest. But each of you to the interest of others”

Let's take a deep breath today, let's exercise a little patience. Let's see if we can't put ourselves in other people's shoes. Y'all have a great day and God bless you