turning point

i just had one of those *face-palm* moments

so the other day I read a post about how forgiveness is not only for those who have literally done something wrong towards you, but you should also be forgiving of other peoples flaws and mistakes. She said that she was going to try not to talk about the negative flaws of others, but instead always focus on the good of everyone she meets.

That gave me great inspiration to do the same. Sometimes I have a hard time focusing on positive things when someone has done something that offended me or I think they aren't a very nice person in general.

Well, the other night I was with some friends and a girl that I had always considered to be a brat had shown up. As we played games together I came to realize that I'VE been the brat!
It turns out she is the nicest, most friendly, sincerely positive person I have ever met! I feel so guilty and humbled. I have held this grudge against this person for a long time. I'm glad I got to actually get to know her and see that I was wrong.

This makes me wonder how many times I have held something against someone when I shouldn't. Who knows, maybe she used to be a brat and then changed...people can change and I shouldn't hold their pasts against them forever. What if she has never been a brat and I misjudged her from the start and we could have been good friends this whole time?

No matter what the situation, one thing is for sure. I can't change the past. I can't change how long I've held a grudge against this girl, but I can learn from her example.

She probably won't ever know the impact she had on me, but I'm changing from here on out. I'm going to be positive about everyone. i don't want to say another negative thing about another human being ever again. Life is too short not to be positive and happy. I'm going to go out of my way to be nice and happy to people because let's be honest, it makes people feel good. She treated me as if we have always been good friends. Right now I mostly just feel guilty. But I know that the only thing that I can do is to learn from her example and become more like her.

Isn't it interesting how the roles have changed? What I really want to become more like is my Savior Jesus Christ. He loved everyone no matter what.
My bishop once said "there are only two kinds of people in this world. Those who you know and love, and those you haven't met yet."

I'm glad I had this experience. I'm grateful for the people around me that inspire me to become a better person. Holding things against someone is more hurtful for you than anything.

I want to always be positive. Always speak kind words about everyone even those who are unkind to me. I want to always look at the eternal perspective and realize that everyone is a son or daughter of Heavenly Father. I want to always make people feel my love for them and I want to truly LOVE everyone.

I love all of you
Kristin