the world according to jimmy john's

Mark and I were having lunch awhile ago and I saw this sign on the Jimmy John's wall. (I know, I know...who gets sentimental and thoughtful about JJ's wisdom??  Me I guess.)

 The three parts of proper apologies. 1. What I did was wrong. 2. I feel badly that I hurt you. 3. How can I make this better.

I'm sure JJ's is referring to their customer service goals, but I took out my phone to take a picture of this because I think it's a nice rule for life. Apologies take self-reflection. It takes looking inside yourself and admitting that YOU caused a problem or hurt feelings and that YOU made someone else feel badly. That you were in the wrong. Of course, I feel the first two parts are the easiest. The last part is what I struggle with and I'm sure others do too. The third part is the when we need to fess up to the wrong sincerely. Just saying "I'm sorry." and going about your day doesn't seem sincere. Words only, not a vision that you really WERE wrong. Saying "I'm sorry." with sincerity seems to require remorse, problem solving, love, internalization of some kind.

Unless it's just a sandwich apology. Then it's only lunch.

bravery

While visiting Sea World recently, Adam was amazed at all of the rides and people. He enjoyed watching it all and taking it all in, just as we did. But being in a crowded place like this, (and the airport, the city, the Riverwalk etc. ALL crowded places) it had me in SuperhyperoverprotectivenervousMom-mode. I was constantly watching that other adults weren't too close to the kids, that they weren't too far from us, that they weren't out of our sight for a minute. Then he saw the Atlantis.

 

He wanted to go on that ride so badly. And Mark was willing to go on it with him. My heart was walking away from me to take a horrifying dive through the sky and into a lake while held in place by a little seatbelt. But he was being "big" and he was feeling brave. And I decided that since Mark was going with him I could be be brave too. And off they went.

Adam's bravery paid off and he had a fantastic ride! My bravery paid off because I was able to let him go try something he wanted to do. Bravery requires faith and a deep breath.