What Losing My Passport Taught Me About the Goodness in People

(Disclaimer: this blog is not about the healthcare system. We will return to our regularly scheduled programming after the holiday).

My family and friends will tell you that I’m not the most, um, patient person in the world. That I can be, well, somewhat “abrupt” with people, particularly bureaucrats and customer service people. It’s something I’m trying to change, though.

I made this resolution a couple of months ago after spending several days with my friend Alisa, who has been learning about and trying to live her life according to Buddhist principles. What principles? Simple things, like: Do no harm. Listen to people. Slow down. Be in the moment. Recognize that other people’s happiness is just as important as your own. And don’t kill bugs, even when you find a large spider in your bathroom.

Many of you know the saga of the lost passport and delayed trip to Cancun, where, for the past two days, my husband, our three sons, one son’s fiancé, and one son’s girlfriend have been soaking up the rays and rum on what was supposed to be the trip to celebrate my 50th birthday.

The good news is that I got a new passport, thanks … Continue Reading

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customer service Goodness of people