Marcus Aurelius, known as the Last of the Good Emperors of Rome and an author of stoic philosophical work, advised the following: “When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly. You will probably not be disappointed, and some of the surliness and bad behavior will probably be your own.”

Epictetus, another stoic philosopher advised his followers, upon hearing that someone had criticized them, to say “He was ignorant of my other faults, otherwise he would not have mentioned only these.”

These quotes seem a bit humorous and sarcastic but think about them.  They are very true.  We are all flawed and imperfect and if any of us think otherwise, we are sadly mistaken and delusional as well.

 When we expect less than perfect behavior from others, it is easier to love them and feel compassion for their faults. It is far better and easier to give others a break for their shortfalls just as we need them to do the same for us.  Holding others to an unrealistic standard of behavior and judging them when they don’t meet our ideals only serves to make us miserable and unpleasant to be around.  Add that to the list of other flaws we already have.

In Luke 6:37 we read these words. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

These words seem fairly simple and easy to follow, yet we all struggle to do so. One of the ways we can give others a break is by being quick to forgive. God’s unconditional love for us through Jesus’s death on the cross was how he forgave us and offered us the greatest gift of all, eternal life.  He gave all of us a break for our transgressions.  Surely, we can try to do the same.  Thanks be to God.

Patty