Just be a saint.

by abbamoses

The Pithless Thoughts blogger recently took on his first desk job after years in the construction business. Among his good thoughts about what it takes to function in an office environment were these, which I’d be hard-pressed even to try to improve on:

Well, the good news is, people are people. The things that “work” in construction work in an office work at Church work in marriage work in driving on the freeway in rush hour work in a monastery work at the grocery store work on the street corner with the homeless guy with a sign… etc.  What “works” is simple, really.  Just be a saint.

• Be silent.  (My opinion isn’t a necessity.)
• Speak with grace if speaking is a necessity.
• Acknowledge people’s goodness.
• Apologize sincerely even if the wrong is only perceived.
• Don’t engage in nor take morbid interest in debates, disputes and gossip.
• Go the second mile without being asked.
• Give the cloak when asked for a shirt (do more than expected).
• Be concerned about other’s burdens.
• Say please. And thank you.  Often.
• Ask for help.
• Be gracious for unasked for help.
• Bring donuts.
• Don’t boast.  About anything.
• Be someone who is known to have a sense of humor.
• Don’t be conspicuously pious.
• Compliment other people behind their backs.
• Say “Good morning” and “Goodbye”.

There’s probably more, but off the top of my head those are a few things I can see work everywhere, at all times, with all people.
Or, I suppose I could just say, love your neighbor and be humble.
But then that would be too easy.