Focusing on the Good…..

I had an interesting day and one also of reflection….. Two experiences happened today that couldn’t be further apart. I will choose to focus and place my belief in only one of them:

This AM, as I was putting gas in my car, I opened my trunk and quickly checked my supplies were in order for my marathon morning of appointments. I must have had a frown on my face or a solemn look, thinking about the three euthanasia appointments back to back… Anyways, as I finished up and closed the trunk, returned the gas nozzle and proceeded to my door, a really kind woman who was putting gas in her car next to mine, called out ‘ Excuse me Mam! Are you ok?” , I was confused, looked around to see if she was addressing someone else, even looked down at my clothes wondering if I somehow had a nose bleed or injury I didn’t know about. Confused still I answered “Yes? Im ok” she replied ” Ohh I was just checking because it looked like u were searching your car and you looked concerned and I wanted to make sure it wasn’t because you misplaced ur purse or phone and needed help.” I replied that I was fine and said thank you so much for the concern, but I wish I had said more. I wish I had told her thank you for noticing other people around you, for speaking up and extending help to a total stranger, thank you for showing me the good and for caring.

Fast forward 2 hours later, I arrived into a neighborhood a little ahead of schedule so I decided to find a place to park a few streets away from the family I was about to help. I wanted to grab a drink of water, catch up on some paperwork between appointments and really just catch my breath. I found a park on my gps map , that was sandwiched between two streets, one of the entrances to it was on a Cul de Sac, I confirmed it was a city park, that I wasn’t; blocking anyones driveway and parked next to the curb. About 15 minutes later a man comes out of a house with his dog off lead and stares me down. I smiled at him and admired his dog as I love my “Pibbles” and she was really a cutie. The man looked angry and didn’t return my smile, so I continued to look at my paperwork. Seeing that I was not intimidated he proceeded straight to my car and to my window asking me to roll it down. He begins to accuse me of watching his house, and asking me what I am doing here, who I am , and what business I have. He aggressively tells me that I must move one. I explain that I simply had chosen this spot to catch my breath between appointments because it is a public park and I was just doing paperwork and show him my folder that has my logo, pen in hand, paperwork on my lap. He then aggressively asks me what is Angel Pets, to which I explain. Then he gets defensive and asks me if I am here concerned about his dogs. I said No not at the least I am not here for you or your dogs, I am here for the park. “Well, you best move on…. you shouldn’t be here, don’t stop here and I don’t want to see your car when I get back.” There are a 100 things I could have said…. could have escalated the situation or continued to argue with him. Heck I was not thrilled to be threatened by this man and I was angry at his manner.
I left shaken up and feeling disgusted in humanity, but then I remembered this morning, the kindness a complete stranger showed me…. and I choose to focus on that….