June 6, 2011 Monday: 7th Week of Easter (A)
A Sympathetic Manner
from A Book of Courtesy: The Art of Living With Yourself and Others by Sister Mary Mercedes, OP
Sister Mary Mercedes, OP (1871-1965) a Dominican Sister, was a teacher for more than fifty years. She wrote the original Book of Courtesy in 1910 for use at the Dominican Convent Upper School in San Rafael.
You may not think that living with others is an art, but it is the finest and most difficult of arts. By learning it early in life, you can save yourself many unpleasant experiences. You can master this art only if you treat others with courtesy. Courtesy is a way of living inspired by thoughtfulness, consideration, and respect for others and for yourself.
We all know people who, upon entering a room, bring with them a cloud. But we also know those whose arrival always brings sunshine. Some people are totally insensitive to others and are constantly ruffling their feelings. They make jokes about other people's appearances or embarrass their companions with sarcastic remarks and unkind criticism.
Others would never ruffle your feelings, but their manner is cold and they leave you cold. They seem to have no interest in you, not a glint of sympathy for your joys and sorrows; they never cheer you up and they often leave you feeling downhearted.
Some find it difficult to relate to others. They make constant demands on your time, calling and asking you to help with their problems, but they abandon you when you need them. They are self-centered and can think only of their own needs and desires.
Have you ever, in a burst of temper, wounded those you love best in the world, or spoken words that you would give anything to take back? You cannot live amicably with others until you have learned to control your temper. All it takes is making a habit of holding your temper instead of letting it control you.
Consideration is the heart of good manners, and a courteous manner is a grace that every person should acquire. Sympathy, sensitivity, and tact make you a desirable companion at home, in school, and at work. Conveying your support through a sympathetic smile or a friendly touch can help a friend through a bad time. Tactful behavior springs from the heart, from the desire to put others at ease and make them comfortable, even in awkward or difficult situations.
When we become aware of our own shortcomings, we can more readily understand and forgive the faults of others. Despite our many differences and, every one of us shares the same humanity with its strengths and its weaknesses.
from A Book of Courtesy: The Art of Living With Yourself and Others by Sister Mary Mercedes, OP
Sister Mary Mercedes, OP (1871-1965) a Dominican Sister, was a teacher for more than fifty years. She wrote the original Book of Courtesy in 1910 for use at the Dominican Convent Upper School in San Rafael.
We all know people who, upon entering a room, bring with them a cloud. But we also know those whose arrival always brings sunshine. Some people are totally insensitive to others and are constantly ruffling their feelings. They make jokes about other people's appearances or embarrass their companions with sarcastic remarks and unkind criticism.
Others would never ruffle your feelings, but their manner is cold and they leave you cold. They seem to have no interest in you, not a glint of sympathy for your joys and sorrows; they never cheer you up and they often leave you feeling downhearted.
Some find it difficult to relate to others. They make constant demands on your time, calling and asking you to help with their problems, but they abandon you when you need them. They are self-centered and can think only of their own needs and desires.
Have you ever, in a burst of temper, wounded those you love best in the world, or spoken words that you would give anything to take back? You cannot live amicably with others until you have learned to control your temper. All it takes is making a habit of holding your temper instead of letting it control you.
Consideration is the heart of good manners, and a courteous manner is a grace that every person should acquire. Sympathy, sensitivity, and tact make you a desirable companion at home, in school, and at work. Conveying your support through a sympathetic smile or a friendly touch can help a friend through a bad time. Tactful behavior springs from the heart, from the desire to put others at ease and make them comfortable, even in awkward or difficult situations.
When we become aware of our own shortcomings, we can more readily understand and forgive the faults of others. Despite our many differences and, every one of us shares the same humanity with its strengths and its weaknesses.
