This week focuses on the various dispositions of what others see.
I overheard a father telling his son what he would do to him; however, it was not worth repeating if he disobeyed one more time.
That same day, as I visited my local Walmart, many know someone usually checks your receipt on the way out the door.
Depending on how many items they may wave to you on your way out the door.
As I prepared to show my receipt for the salad and bread, I was given the wave I usually receive from one of my favorite Walmart Checkers.
Although he is grossly overweight and unable to stand physically for too long, he sits with a smile worth seeing on the way out the door.
What you would witness is if you can imagine a big smile and a wave that states have a good day without saying a word.
I tell myself that, of the 30-plus times I’ve seen him, it’s always the same authentic smile and wave.
I would like to have what he is drinking.
Sadly, others could learn a lesson watching him.
Every day, we have various choices regarding our disposition for the day. Maybe, you witnessed or noticed that sometimes you and I can become irritated at something so small that it turns our world upside down.
Sometimes, it can be something minor that turns into something major that we think is too big to deal with, and it lingers throughout the day.
Then, on the other hand, it could be a combination of taking a personal timeout and just praying about it, provided we are focused enough.
As I continue to study the various aspects of positive intelligence and master the importance of finding gifts and opportunities in every situation, I often wonder what others are doing about their specific dispositions on display for all to see.
We’ve all heard impatient mothers or fathers tell their children, “Wait until we get home.”
Is waiting something we want to do?
We live in a different time, with various generations seeing and mirroring others.
As I attended the 0800 Mass this morning, my disposition was to satisfy an obligation and attend Mass before returning home.
Travel and Catholics’ Sunday Obligation to Attend Mass (learnreligions.com)
This was the disposition I had before going to sleep, knowing that I had a Sunday obligation to participate in Mass even when away from home.
It felt good when the Priest said, “Turn to your left and right and greet the person next to you.”
That alone made it all worth the 26-minute ride to get there. Not to mention, I had googled “Catholic Churches near me” and found one that had Mass at 0800 before traveling back home from my weekend in Tennessee.
Finally, the last exciting conversation was just before checking out when one of the housekeepers knocked on a door and said, “Housekeeping.”
Ironically, as I was behind the maintenance man heading to my room, he said, “Just kick it in; that will give me something to fix.”
Sometimes, people say the darndest things, and it doesn’t matter who’s listening.
My first thought is that it’s a Sunday morning and not even 10:AM, and that’s your disposition for the day.
Today, I challenge you to consider your disposition for this past weekend. Did it show on your face, or was it concealed from others?
I took notice of the various dispositions of others, watching and listening to people complain about how hot it was this weekend.
It doesn’t bother me because I have been in temperatures over 130 degrees in the shade, and my mantra is that I will not complain.
As we prepare for the summer heat, let’s turn not to let the heat get the best of us or our attitudes.
As the Dalai Lama might say, “Don’t let the behaviors of others destroy your inner peace.”
Have a great week ahead, and watch your dispositions. You never know who’s watching you!
A good reminder to be aware of the ripple effect of our dispositions, McKinley!
Think of all the smiles your Walmart friend gets back.
May we send forth positivity, even if just for the sake of brightening someone else’s day, which will undoubtedly brighten our own.
Thanks for taking the time to write this.
Jane,
I’m honored with your comments and words about “The ripple effect of our dispositions.” Smiles can be contagious as we all know. It’s my pleasure to write.
Thank you!
McKinley
This is a Great article! I had the opportunity this weekend with my partner to visit her elder father for Father Day. It was delightful to see this 93-year-old man who is unable to get out of the bed. As, we stood there and talk with him, he couldn’t talk back but he would smile or open is eyes to show that he agrees and acknowledge our conversation with him. As, your article spoke on disposition, I notice his disposition and how please he was to have us in his present. As, we prepared to leave and I said to him is Good to Be Seen, he busted out with a big laugh and shocked everyone in the room. Because he used to say that to me every time we would meet each other. His daughter said that was the first time he had respond in that matter in a long time. His hold disposition changes just hearing me saying something that he always said, and I said it back to him. That moment really made our day.
Ralph,
Thank you for sharing your story from this past weekend. What a blessing to receive confirmation that you both made each other’s day.
We all know life is short, therefore we must make the best of it as we can. You did that for a special human being without asking.
CM
McKinley, as usual, a wonderful thought for the day. Thanks for the reminder. I approach each day with gratitude and say a quick prayer whenever I encounter a face projecting a disposition of no gratitude for the gift of a new day.
Ola
Dr. Fox,
Greetings, thank you for taking the time to add value to me and the others. It is a gift when we can wake up and see a new day and give thanks.
McKinley
It is good to see a smiling face with kind words these days. I try to stay positive even in times of uncertainty. People are watching you and what you say and how you say things matter.
Don,
Greetings, you’re absolutely correct, “people are watching you and what you say and how you say things matter.” Thank you for providing your insight this week.
CM
CM, it can be a challenge to control what and how we allow things to affect us. In fact, if you lack self awareness you will find yourself being bothered by the same things over and over. The message reminds of the quote by Deion Sanders – “I don’t have bad days. I control my own thermostat.” It may be easier said than done, but it is surely possible to be mindful of our dispositions.
Terrance,
Powerful insights from you this morning as one that studies Emotional Intelligence. How we self-regulate is important. It’s also tied to the self-awareness you wrote about. Thank you for sharing the quote by Deion Sanders – “I don’t have bad days. I control my own thermostat.” CM
McKinley. Thanks for highlighting the importance of dispositions. With the younger generation, they need to observe their elders as oasis of love and beacons of light because of so much negativity, confusion, hatred, bitterness and division in the world. As elders, we must strive to rise above our challenges but sometimes even we need a stronger support unit to smile above our circumstances. Thinking on the lines of an older preacher, he often would say “you have to have a want-to.”
Gloria,
Blessings to you as I receive your comments today. There is plenty of wisdom in what you wrote. If only we could get others to understand the older preacher’s comments “you have to have a want-to.”
McKinley
I remember a time when sociologists could blame individual dispositions to lack of cognitive development; poor emotional intelligence; and now positive intelligence. These terms attempt to explain the human mental capacities; diagnose the lack of specific mental skills; and prescribe how to develop critical thinking skills but the fact is no one really knows what is behind an individual disposition. For instance, are we dealing with the need for a personality transplant or a social mask? When I think about my social disposition, I think about how I’m going to present myself today. If I am feeling low, will I show up with a sad face. If I am happy, will I show the world my bright eyes and bushy tail; and If I am stressed or angry, will I showcase my fangs.
In my mind, because I care about not -unnecessarily- infringing on others, I strive to choose a social mask (a disposition) to simply get me through the day. For example, when I feel sick, or tired, and can’t get out of previous engagement(s), I make sure hair, make-up, and dress is correct. Under such circumstances, I tend to smile, nod, and I’m a lot quieter. But If I don’t feel safe or a situation is not right… I’m not quite sure if it’s a social mask or a personality that steps-out.
People’s daily or spontaneous disposition(s) are enigmatic as well. It’s certainly true…” sometimes, people say and do the darndest things, and it doesn’t matter who’s listening”. I suspect it may depend on what they want; when and how they want-what-they-want. As you said, “Every day, we have various choices regarding our disposition for the day” and yet emotions (especially emotional dysregulation) tend to trump the critical process required to make “good” choices. I suspect reactions depend on individual beliefs, temperament; are they tired, sick, or frustrated; whether or not he or she has the discipline, cares, and/or has the mental capacity to think before they speak or react. The human disposition is frankly too complex to pin down.
As I witness the messy aspects of humanity…I am reminded of my life lessons and reflect on what I am doing with those lessons learned. The fact is I have regrets and I’m FAR from being perfect. Nevertheless, I still love to watch the crazy-funny things others do… but I try hard to withhold judgement because I know there’s more than what the plain eye can see.
For now, I enjoy the crazies, the smiles, the waves, the small gatherings, helping others, and moments of solitude; I especially thank those who stay clear from me:)
FSJ
Frances,
Greetings
Thank you for your insights and personal testimony.
I can see from what I’m reading, you try very hard to be authentic in your daily interactions with others. You are also intrigue with the dispositions of others as sometimes they can cause you and I to act differently. Keep smiling!
McKinley