Thursday, January 19, 2012

When All Else Fails, Bring Chocolate

Sometimes I find myself having to attend meetings I don't want to attend with people I don't know.  Sometimes I have to enter into hostile classroom settings with students who scowl about grades or class assignments.  Sometimes I find myself at odds with a neighbor.

As I prepare for a meeting today, I turn to Proverbs 18.  Here, the wise man says, "A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great." Some translations say a gift enlarges the way of the giver.  Others claim the gift opens closed doors and connects you to people. 

I know what I need to do.

I buy chocolate.  Really good chocolate.  I enter the room with an armload of it.  "I brought chocolate!" I exclaim.  The gift never fails in classrooms, meetings, and even between friends with hurt feelings.  You stand on the doorstep, ring the doorbell, and just hand over the chocolate. 

I remember the story of a little girl who had her first fight with her best friend.  Days pass.  Finally, one of them sulks over, still mad, knocks on the door and says, "My mom wants to know if you want some chocolate."

The other girl, angry and frowning says, "Of course I do."  She then smiles and says, "Come in and let's play."

When all else fails and you don't know what to do, bring chocolate.

___________________________
Have you experienced the power of giving a gift to enlarge your way?

10 comments:

Dan Russell said...

I think I need to become angry and hostile with you about something (LOL).

Patricia W Hunter said...

How perfect is this, Heather!  

Live with Flair said...

I could arrange a neighborhood argument to be resolved only by very delicious chocolates ;)

Live with Flair said...

So you love chocolate, too? !

cherylsmith said...

I can't remember when our meeting is Heather, but I'm looking forward to it! 

(I found this really great dark chocolate at Christmas that has sea salt on it. Oh. My! Oh, and this other time, I found chocolate with red hot cinnamon candies crushed into it. To die for!)

That Solomon was a wise one, wasn't He?

Roberta Beach said...

I recently complete a CE on stroke and its prevention. People who ate significant amts of chocolate had a 27% decrease in stroke. I didn't need this to be convinced of chocolate's efficacy but it sure helps :). 

Patricia W Hunter said...

To be honest, I'm not that crazy about chocolate - if we ever have disagreement, bring chips and cheese - I just think you are incredibly wise and insightful. 

Live with Flair said...

I like this, Roberta!  I'm under doctor's order to EAT CHOCOLATE!

Live with Flair said...

Sea salt with chocolate is awesome, Cheryl!  I love your humor.  I can schedule a meeting for us :)

Live with Flair said...

OOOOhhhh I love cheese.  Good cheese.