My nieces were getting ready for their lunch and one of them decided to use the blue spoon instead of the usual yellow. Now, there was one set of blue cutlery and one yellow for the children. On most occasions, meal times were orderly and they were fed quickly. But not today.

“I want the blue spoon!” demanded the younger child, grabbing it off the table.
“It’s mine!” screamed the other.
“No, it’s mine!”
“Give it to me!”
“...!”
“...!”

BANG! The plate filled with food flies off the table. Fearful of their parents’ reaction, the two children in perfect synchronization started a cry cum win-some-sympathy marathon. Both were sent to the infamous naughty corner.

Henri Nouwen in his book “Finding My Way Home” tells the story of John and Sandy.

“One day, John said to Sandy “We have never had an argument. Let us have an argument like other people have.”
Sandy asked “But how can we start an argument?”
John answered “I take a brick and say ‘It is mine,’ and then you say ‘No, it is mine’, and then we can have an argument.”
So they sat down and John took a brick and said ‘This brick is mine.”
Sandy looked gently at him and said “Well, if it is yours take it.”
And so they could not have an argument.”

It takes humility and a gentleness in our spirit to stop and let go especially if we have a right to some thing, when we are misunderstood or we are not at fault.

Our journey will be more joyful if we can attempt towards responding without bitterness or resignation, “Well, if it is yours take it.”