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After a long, exhausting day, a woman was waiting for her flight in the boarding lounge of a busy airport. When an announcement was made that her flight was delayed, she decided to buy something to read. While she was in the airport shop she also purchased a package of cookies.

She returned to the boarding lounge and began reading. Beside the armrest of the chair where the package of cookies lay sat a man reading a magazine. When she took out the first cookie, the man took one also. She stared- he smiled – and both went back to their reading. She was irritated – “what nerve!” she thought – but said nothing. For each cookie she took, the man took one, too. Soon she’d gone from irritated to infuriated, but she didn’t want to cause a scene.

When only one cookie remained she thought, “What will he do now?” No sooner had she thought that, than the man took the last cookie, divided it in half, and smiling, gave her one half. That was too much! She opened her mouth to reprimand him, but was interrupted by her flight being called. In a huff, she took her book and her bags, and stormed to the boarding gate.

After she sat down in her seat on the plane, she opened her purse and to her surprise, there was her package of cookies. Untouched and unopened. She was stunned – and embarrassed. All along, that man had been sharing his cookies with her – and with a smile.

Things aren’t always what they seem!

I think this is a great "food for thought". Have you ever thought someone was "stealing your cookies", and found out later that they really had your best interest in mind? We tend to see what our "filters" let us see. And...sometimes our "filters" are not accurate! So, what can you do? Be aware that your "filters" perceive what you focus on and identify with in your context, and the other person's "filters" work the same way. Taking time to respectfully clarify, ask for what you want, negotiate, educate, and influence the other person, generally works better than jumping to a conclusion about that "awful person who stole my cookies!". In other words, use your influencing skills and choose to be proactive, rather than reactive.

(I haven't been able to find the original author's name. If you know who wrote this, please send their name to me so I can give them appropriate credit!)

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