It was a quiet Sunday. In my morning walk, I run into the policeman in the police car patrolling our neighborhood. He was the one who supported the customers in the local dollar store on last Sunday morning. The policeman asked me if I was planning to go to the store again this morning. I was not planning to go. The policeman suggested to go shopping there tomorrow early morning instead of today. He shared the information with me. The store is expecting their delivery truck to be arrived in the early morning tomorrow so that their items will be nicely restocked. It was very nice of him. This is one of the benefits in living in a small town. We know each other and we are nice to each other.
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In the afternoon my friend and I went for a long distance walk. We walked about five miles as always. Our walk had been good until toward the end when she said bad jokes about my family.
I knew it was her habit. She had gossiped and said bad jokes about her close people such as her family and coworkers. If they hear her saying that, they would definitely get hurt. I don’t enjoy hearing any gossips or mean teasing about people behind their back, even for the people whom I don’t personally know.
She repeated the insulting jokes about my family several times. Even though she said she was joking, I got offended. I took a couple of deep breathing and calmed myself down. Then, I carefully selected the right words and gently asked her to stop saying bad jokes about my family.
In her reply, she said she would get back to her original routine, which is going for jogging alone. Her reply implied she would stop walking together with me anymore. I agreed with her suggestion. We both thanked each other for keeping a good company for these past 6.5 months.
It is good to get back to our own routine. In a way, I felt relieved that I don’t need to hear any gossips nor mean teasing anymore.
Since my recent birthday of 50 years old, I am committed myself to stay being myself. I only do what I want to do. Meaning, I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. I only hang out with somebody whom I feel comfortable to stay with. Meaning, I don’t waste my time with anybody whom I don’t feel comfortable to stay with.
three wisdom 