The best they can

Everyone is always doing the best they can.

I learned this from my Aunt Emily.

She is the kind of person who is always there when you need her, never expects anything in return, and always knows how to have fun even when life stinks. 

Everyone is always doing the best they can.

This one way of thinking has the potential for greater understanding, compassion, acceptance, forgiveness, love, and a whole lot of appreciation for the other person.

If only I could remember this – in the moment when I’m arguing with someone, or feeling confused or hurt by something someone did. Perhaps I wouldn’t take things so personally, which often gets me into trouble.

If I can remind myself…

Everyone is always doing the BEST they can. 

Perhaps I would allow others to be themselves without assuming they are being inconsiderate or are out to get me.

Perhaps I would be able to let things go more easily, realizing that maybe it isn’t necessarily about me.

Perhaps I would be more understanding of myself, remembering that sometimes when I am struggling and things are just not working out, that I too am simply doing the best I can.

Today I make a promise to myself to remember this statement each time I feel unhappy in a situation with another person, or unhappy with myself. I promise to go the extra mile to understand why the other person is acting a certain way, without judging them or getting defensive.

Because maybe they didn’t get enough sleep last night, or they are awaiting the results of biopsy, or their cat just died.

We never know what people are going through but if we can consider the possibility that given any situation, everyone is always doing the best they can, then we can make it a rule to give that person, whether it’s your Mom, husband, child, boss, or that jerk on the road that cut you off, the benefit of the doubt. And then just maybe, kindness will have a chance in this world.

Thank you, Aunt Emily, for teaching me this beautiful approach to life, and people, and love.

Everyone is ALWAYS doing the best they can (including me!). Tweet this!

If this resonates with you, please leave a comment below –  it’s ok, just do the best you can. 🙂

Love you,

Photo by Rémi Walle on Unsplash
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1 Comment

  1. Marie
    December 18, 2018 / 2:25 am

    Loving your gratitude app, so easy to fallow and get a great dose of vitamin G each day!! So thankful !!

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