People, Not Stuff

A friend of mine spoke this past weekend and commented about how we strive to preserve our comfort zones - those spaces in our life that create comfort for us. We get irritated when others invade that space. It may be the comfortable group of friends we are with or the time on the computer in a quiet place or that favorite chair with a nice neat setup. Our creature comforts are what we strive to preserve and increase. The trouble is when we value stuff, processes or habits over people. It is people that these things serve. Whether it is the little inconveniences like getting beat to a parking spot, someone scratching our new car or someone not doing things the way we like, we can feel a violation. But what really matters? Is it the person or our preferences? Do we have compassion enough on people and shake ourself out of the delirious state we are in as we fill our lives with comfort stuff? We have these things all around us. When you get irritated next time because you feel a violation - things did not go as you like, or stuff you own got tampered, or your space was invaded - remember to see the people your disdain affects; they always matter more. The people are what business and life is all about. Don't miss them.