40 Acts of Stewardship #13 - Second Fiddle

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For some of us, relinquishing control and sacrificing our own agendas or plans is difficult. It means that (a) we don't get our own way and (b) we have to trust someone else or put them first. But practicing playing second fiddle sometimes is important and generous: it shows the other person that you recognize their worth. Three Options: There are plenty of small ways to put others first. Perhaps hold the door open for more people than necessary. Give up your seat on public transport. Let someone else go ahead of you in the queue. Let someone else choose the TV channel. Don't haggle – hand over. Consider a situation you're in at the moment with a friend or family member where you might be butting heads over something. It could be anything from choosing a new paint colour for the den to disagreeing with your best friend over what to do at the weekend. Normally you'd find a happy medium – a compromise. Today though, let that person's wishes and opinions trump yours. Let them know that you value their thoughts as much as your own. Plan a perfect day out for someone. Pick activities that they would love – not the things that you would love to do with them. You might hate hiking, clothes shopping, fishing or the cinema – but if that's their thing, go for it. Joyfully. Without counting brownie points...