The young man was quite excited; it was his first day on his new job so he drove to work early to make a good impression.  He saw an empty parking space quite near his office and pulled into it before getting out of his car, ready to make some new friends.  Imagine his surprise then when another driver surprisingly pulled up along side him, rolled down his window and yelled at him angrily: "Hey you, what do you think you're doing?  I always park there!" "You've taken my place!"  The young man just smiled and went on his way - a little shaken, but determined not to let one small unpleasant event ruin his whole day.

He quickly made his way along to the office, stopping on the way there to buy the morning newspaper.  Thankful as he did, for being on time to buy the last copy they had one sale.  He smiled at the vendor, paid for the newspaper and went happily about his day only to hear over his head a young woman screaming at the top of her voice in no uncertain terms: "What a cheek!  You've just bought the last newspaper.  They only sell 4 here a day on this stand and I always buy the last one.  You've taken my place.  That's my newspaper!"   Again, the young man just smiled and kept on walking.

During lunch, the young man thought it was such a nice day he'd go outside and take in a little sunshine before a meeting he had to attend later that afternoon.  He saw an empty park bench under a tree and went over and sat down on it.  A few seconds later another colleague from his office run up to him and asked rather rudely: "What are you doing, man?  I always sit there.  You've taken my place.  That's my seat!"  The young man could hardly believe his ears but again just smiled, said nothing and went about his day.

A few hours later he happily went along to his meeting only to find an angry old man still complaining about his parking space, a young woman yelling about a newspaper and a seemingly disgruntled employee yapping on about a park bench all waiting for him in the office.  At the sight of all three the young man quickly began to change his appearance and horrible scars, boils and lumps became visible all over his face and hands.  Surprised, all three asked in unison: "What's happening?"  "Don't you know?" asked the young man smiling "I'm simply taking your place!"

Being polite, kind and understanding costs nothing. Neither does being thankful, happy or grateful.   The exact opposite only serves to spoil your day and the day of the people around you - most usually your friends and family I might add.  Try to remember this the next time you get angry or upset over nothing.  Live in the moment, enjoy every second and treat others how you would like to be treated!

© Charles Anthony McFaulds 2010