Seeing Others Through The Paradigm of Charity

paradigm: A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.

Has anyone noticed how different a long wait at a busy temple is, than while standing in line at a busy store, with a slow, confused cashier having trouble with a customer just in front of you? It’s all in our way of viewing the situation. When I find myself being impatient (and my family knows that I was not naturally endowed by my creator with the gift of patience) when I find myself frustrated with the driver who cut me off, etc. etc. etc. I’ve noticed what a difference it makes when I remember charity—suddenly my perspective changes to one of compassion. What is happening in their life today? Maybe the rude driver was rushing to the hospital? Maybe the slow clerk is ill or tired or getting old. At those times when I have remembered charity—I have experienced exactly the same temple feelings, even with people behind me swearing and babies crying and loud “world music” twanging, I've had the same temple feelings exactly, and in complete contrast to my “natural man” instincts, all in the instant that I remembered charity! Truly “charity never faileth!”