The other day I was sitting on a train in New York City when I happened to glance at the woman sitting across from me and notice that unbeknownst to her, her foot as it nervously bobbed back and forth was caressing a dirty waffle with a mouth-sized chunk eaten out of it.
I internally wrestled with myself whether or not I should say something about what her feet were doing. I was plagued with the usual thoughts someone might have “it’s really none of my business.” “The waffle really isn’t bothering her, why should I stir her from her world.” And then finally “how would you even communicate that? Excuse me ma’am, is that your waffle?”
Exploring all of my possible options, I had to rely on the age-old test: would you want to know? I asked myself this question and realized that YES, I would want to know if I were in the same situation so that then I could choose what to do.
I decided to say to her: Ma’am your foot is touching a waffle?
“Whhaaattt!?” she said as she looked down and let out the most childlike “Ewww!” and kicked the waffle away.
She thanked me and went along he merry waffle-less way.
I know that there are times when we struggle to say wha we really need to say to others, but there are also times in our lives when we really need to say what really needs to be said to ourselves.
Sometimes, you justt need to come out and say it and give yourself and others the opportunity to decide on the next course to action.
I hope this wisdom serves you!
Let be know what your thoughts are in the comments below!
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