We were often surprised by a certain young woman who would not make eye contact and often times seemed to ignore us. When we waved as we passed her in ourvehicle while she was running she would never wave back. And even when she did speak, there was still very little eye contact. Now being from Texas, the friendly state, we were confused. We thought maybe it’s a Northern thing. After all, everyone in Texas knows everyone from the North is rude, right? Well, it wasn’t until my wife saw this woman getting out of a cab in front of the building that we got our answer.

Now, you have to understand that everyone in Dallas, Texas, drives a pick up truck, wears a cowboy hat and says ‘‘y’all” (not really).

Most people drive their own vehicles. Public transportation just isn’t used much compared to other large cities. So, my wife asked if their car was broken down. The woman replied that their car was perfectly fine but, she was legally blind and could not drive.

No wonder she didn’t make eye contact or see us while she was running. What we had mistaken for rudeness was actually a disability. If we had only asked sooner maybe we could have become friends sooner.

After that conversation we always offered to pick things up at the store for her and became lifelong friends.

Proverbs 19:8 says ‘‘Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.” If we had only sought understanding in this situation, we would have found the good in this friendship muchsooner. We must use this principle and seek to understand others before we start to judge and criticize. Take the time to get to know someone before you get angry and defensive. If you know you have offended someone, take the time to explain yourself and reach a compromise that you both can agree to.

Living in seminary housing is similar to living in military housing. There is an integral sense of community and commonality that permeates the air and makes you feel like you are safe, cared for and part of a special group.

The same atmosphere exists in military housing whether it is the barracks or single family housing. However, conflict is inevitable. The Marine Corps has a diverse mix of individuals that fill its ranks.

There are Marines from every culture, every ethnicity and every social background imaginable. With thisdiverse mix come differences in what we each consider normal behavior and what we consider to be ‘‘right” in the area of social customs and courtesies. When others don’t measure up conflicts arise and we criticize, becomedefensive, and, sometimes, offensive.

But, if we calmly consider these diverse socialbackgrounds and seek understanding through communication, we may find the offender never meant to offend us and you may end up making a friend.

Schedule of Services
All Services are held in the U.S. Marine Memorial Chapel unless otherwise stated. For more information, call theCommand Chaplain’s Office at 703-784-2131.

Roman Catholic
Sunday
9 a.m., 12 p.m. Mass
10:30 a.m. Religious Education

Monday – Friday
11:30 a.m. Mass

Protestant
9 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Quantico Community Christian Worship

TBS Worship Schedule
Protestant Service 9 a.m.
O'Bannon Hall
3rd Deck Chapel

Islamic
Friday Jumah
Noon

Daily Dhuhr
1:15 p.m.

Jewish
For information call the Fort Belvoir Jewish Chaplain’sOffice at 703-806-4316 or Quantico’s Jewish Lay Leader, retired Lt. Col. Mike Haas, at 540-657-5658.