Paradigm Shift

Imagine you're at the International Airport . While you're waiting foryour flight, you notice a kiosk selling shortbread cookies. You buy a box, putthem in your traveling bag and then you patiently search for an available seat soyou can sit down and enjoy your cookies.

Finally you find a seat next to a gentleman.You reach down into your traveling bag and pull out your box of shortbread cookies.As you do so, you notice that the gentleman starts watching you intensely.He stares as you open the box and his eyes follow your hand as you pick upthe cookie and bring it to your mouth. Just then he reaches over and takesone of your cookies from the box, and eats it! You're more than a littlesurprised at this. Actually, you're at a loss for words. Not only does he take one cookie, but he alternates with you. For every one cookie you take,he takes one.

Now, what's your immediate impression of this guy?

Crazy? Greedy? He's gotsome nerve?!

Can you imagine the words you might use to describe this man to yourassociates back at the office? Meanwhile, you both continue eating thecookies until there's just one left. To your surprise, the man reaches overand takes it. But then he does something unexpected. He breaks it in half,and gives half to you. After he's finished with his half he gets up, andwithout a word, he leaves.

You think to yourself, "Did this really happen?" You're left sitting theredumbfounded and still hungry. So you go back to the kiosk and buy anotherbox of cookies. You then return to your seat and begin opening your new boxof cookies when you glance down into your traveling bag. Sitting there inyour bag is your original box of ookies -- still unopened.Only then do you realize that when you reached down earlier, you hadreached into the other man's bag, and grabbed his box of cookies by mistake.

Now what do you think of the man?

Generous? Tolerant?

You've just experienced a profound paradigm shift.

You're seeing things from a new point of view. Is it time to change your point of view?Now, think of this story as it relates to your life . Seeing things froma new point of view can be very enlightening. Think outside the box. Don't settle for the status quo. Be open to suggestions. Things may not be what they seem.

(Author Unknown- received by email)