Part 2

My last post was about first impressions and how very often we judge one another, and many times unfairly. When I wrote and thank the dear friend (who was the inspiration for my post), this is the poem he sent me. It was one of his favorites on this same subject. It was so good, I felt the need to make a part 2 to my last post. I still think the reason that this is important to me, is because it is something that I need to work on every day.

As Jeff and I talked to the hosts of the B & B yesterday morning before we left, we talked of this very subject. They mentioned how some times when people first come to their B & B, that they are quite and seem sorta distant.  Then usually by the next morning after having a good night sleep and time away from the world, they are different people. I do believe that many of us are over worked, over stressed, under nourished, sleep deprived and on and on. What a great idea it was for Jeff and I to RUN AWAY and get back some time for ourselves ( refill our bucket ),have time for each other and get a much healthier perspective on our life!  So if you ever need a great B & B to run away to, we know the perfect place...

THYME & TIDE in Oceanside,Oregon       www.thyme-and-tide.com

When You Know a Fellow

When you get to know a fellow, know his joys and know his cares, 
When you've come to understand him and the burdens that he bears, 
When you've learned the fight he's making and the troubles in his way, 
Then you find that he is different than you thought him yesterday.

You find his faults are trivial and there's not so much to blame 
In the brother that you jeered at when you only knew his name.

You are quick to see the blemish in the distant neighbor's style, 
You can point to all his errors and may sneer at him the while, 
And your prejudices fatten and your hates more violent grow 
As you talk about the failures of the man you do not know,

But when drawn a little closer, and your hands and shoulders touch, 
You find the traits you hated really don't amount to much.

When you get to know a fellow, know his every mood and whim, 
You begin to find the texture of the splendid side of him; 
You begin to understand him, and you cease to scoff and sneer, 
For with understanding always prejudices disappear. 
You begin to find his virtues and his faults you cease to tell, 
For you seldom hate a fellow when you know him very well.

When next you start in sneering and your phrases turn to blame, 
Know more of him you censure than his business and his name; 
For it's likely that acquaintance would your prejudice dispel 
And you'd really come to like him if you knew him very well.

When you get to know a fellow and you understand his ways, 
Then his faults won't really matter, for you'll find a lot to praise.

"NEVER JUDGE A MAN'S ACTIONS UNTIL YOU KNOW HIS MOTIVES"

"WE JUDGE OURSELVES BY WHAT WE FEEL CAPABLE OF DOING, WHILE OTHERS JUDGE US BY WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY DONE"  ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow