Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

February 13, 2017

“I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change”
-Michael Jackson

We often want the world around us to be different.  We want our partners to be empathetic.  We want our friends to be supportive and available.  We want society to be understanding and open minded.  However, changing others is beyond our immediate control.  What we can do is change ourselves.  As we focus on being empathetic of our partners’ struggles and experience, supportive and available to our friends in their times of pain and need, and understanding and open minded of those who do not see the world as we do, we become catalysts for change.  With consistency and patience, we contribute to the larger healing of others and our community.

When have I wanted others to be different?  When have I been intolerant of others?  What gifts await me as I give to others what I want for myself?