There is a bit of a running joke with several of my clients when, on the norm, the wife and I are explaining a job design and the costs. When the husband is the type I can joke with and he smiles and shakes his head…my response is bobble heads have it right …just keeping smiling and shaking the head up and down. Not everyone is the type you can tease but many are. A current client is one such…a dear man who clearly loves and trusts his wife’s decisions. A sound and lovely marriage.
Observing lots of relationships in my line of work that is not always the case. More, “Clash of the Titans”! Psychology classes are in great need in all design studies. On the serious side I believe we all are in need of a bit of learning from the endearing “bobble head”. No matter how you smack it…it continues to smile and shake its head in approval. Perhaps when faced with something we don’t truly understand or is in opposition to our thoughts or wants …maybe…just maybe… a smile and nod, if possible, in agreement or at least an attempt to understand another’s perspective. Another perspective on anything that challenges us could calm our insecurities and insistence that our’s is the only way.
In my quiet time today one of the readings was to keep our focus on Jesus and not get distracted by all the clamoring around us for our attention. Wanting to continue to sit out with my coffee and enjoy that time of quiet …the landlord suddenly cranked up his mower. That was not a smiling bobble head moment for me but a slight smack to my head. However I was not smiling as I popped the door closed to go inside to continue reading. Yes, there was then a conscience prick to my heart…how loving was that …he’s keeping the lawn beautiful and it was not convenient for me 😞 smack taken…working on the nod in agreement.
When God does the smacking we rarely smile and nod in the enjoyment of the smack. Those smacks are indeed for our benefit if we stop and look at God’s perspective for just a minute.
Give it a try…next time you feel like another is smacking your head..maybe it’s your insecurities about yourself that is causing the irritation…a lack of understanding maybe of what was said or implied..maybe just flat out not happy about not feeling heard or seen. Just smile and nod in agreement and see if the dynamic changes. It takes far less effort to smile than to frown and be angry.
Life’s journey is full of perspectives…try to embrace them. Here’s to today and bobble training. Give that neck a workout so it’s not so stiff…as I calm my pout over lawn mower noise 🫣. Much love to you❤️
