WEB
POSTED 1-19-2000
"....CAST
THE FIRST STONE!"
 One
of the most common casualties of the war of personality clashes is
loss of control, resulting in loss of temper, resulting in loss of
friendship, et cetera, et cetera, ad infinitum. Often, those of us who
walk through these would-be confrontations without reacting
"normally" are assumed to be too stupid to know we are being
insulted, or too naive to realize the depth of the put-down.
Sometimes, those close to us, even within our own families, question
our sanity and, or our sensitivity. I cannot speak for others, but I
am acutely aware of my actions and reactions or the absence thereof,
and I am fully cognizant of the reason.
There is a principle which governs my interpersonal relationships,
and my acquaintance with it dates back many years. I was spending my
last night as a resident of Los Angeles. All of my possessions were
loaded on a moving van outside except one bed and one television set.
I was lying on the bed, watching television, when the channel prepared
to sign off. As was often the practice, they had a guest to sign them
off with some words of wisdom. I usually found them quite interesting,
but this one has stuck with me, and become an integral part of my
behavior ever since.
The guest who was to deliver the
closing words of wisdom was one of Hollywood�s truly great actors�Lee
J. Cobb. His presentation was taken from THE TALMUD, the Jewish Book
of Wisdom. According to the narrative, Prophet Abraham was in his
tent, out in the desert, one night, when a traveler happened by. They
were so far from civilization that Abraham knew his visitor had come a
long way, and still had a long way to go. In the spirit of
hospitality, Abraham invited the wayfarer to join him in the dinner he
was preparing, and then to spend the night, so that, come morning, he
could resume his journey well-nourished and well-rested. The traveler
gratefully accepted his invitation. However, during their mealtime
conversation, it became obvious that the traveler was an idol
worshiper. Abraham allowed him to finish his meal, but withdrew his
invitation to spend the night.
As Abraham slept, God spoke to him:
"Abraham, why did you offer the traveler lodging for the
night, then withdraw your offer?"
"Lord," answered Abraham, "I was sincere in my
invitation. But once I discovered he was a foolish idol worshiper, I
did not want someone so foolish to spend the night in my tent."
"Abraham," said God, "If I can put up with your
foolishness all these years, surely you could put up with that foolish
man for one night!"
GO THOU AND DO LIKEWISE! |
