Taken from this webpage

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-macy-stafford/the-3-second-pause-that-can-save-a-morning-spare-some-pain_b_7930190.html

I Am My Response

I am my response to my child's mismatched outfit and the crumpled report card at the bottom of her backpack.

I am my response to my spouse who returned from the store without toilet paper but remembered the tailgate snacks.

I am my response to my anxious parent who repeats the same worries and insists on giving me coupons I do not need.

I am my response to my colleague with sad eyes and frequent absences.

I am my response to my 15-minutes-late hairdresser with a sick child.

I am my response to my neighbor with heart-heavy problems and little family support.

I am my response to the irate driver who cut me off and made an obscene gesture in 
front of my children.

I am my response to the waitress who got my order wrong.

I am my response to myself when I forgot the one thing I most needed to do today.

I am my response to spilled coffee, long lines and middle-of-the-night wake-ups.

My responses are not perfect... they are not always ideal... I am human, after all.

But if I strive to offer responses underlined with 
grace,
understanding, 
kindness,
empathy, 
and care,
That is something. 
That is something.

Because my responses are more than just words. 
They represent 
who I am, 
who I want to be, 
and how I will someday be remembered.

Today I will not respond perfectly. I know. 
But if I strive to communicate with hints of kindness and traces of love, 
That will be something 
That will be something
That could mean more than words.