The most important person 

arrives last.

I heard this one night on a stationary bus, where the passengers were waiting impatiently for the bus to start off. Suddenly, a man dashed into view, hastening up the bus. This person was apparently familiar to the driver, who shook his head and muttered, “The most important person arrives last.” 

This very brief statement, a saying that I had never heard before, has remained with me.

In many formalities, from award shows to government ceremonies, protocol calls for a buildup in status until, at last—the most essential person appears.

Most of us are not this person. 

Our real place in the scheme of things acknowledged, we need to ask ourselves whether we habitually run late, like that flustered man. If not, great. But if we do, then we might ask ourselves if we really want to announce to all involved that our time is more valuable than theirs. 

That we are the most important person! 

“Don’t be too quick.You never know what the next one will be like.”

Want to have a good day?

Do good things.

It’s easy to allow what others say or do to determine what kind of day we will have. But allowing others to control whether our day is pleasant or not is, frankly, illogical. If we want to have a good day, we just need to do good things. Yes, it starts with us. That’s about as simple as cause and effect can get. It is also powerful. 

It’s our choice: spend our energy reacting to others’ negative actions or act from the goodness already within us. Instead of absorbing and being disturbed by what is disagreeable, do something worthwhile. So take charge. Block the negative energy or stop reflecting it. Emit positive energy—do good things. 

Will we immediately change the undesirable day to one filled with good results? Unlikely.

But regardless of the immediate external outcomes, we will know we did what’s right. The results can catch up with us later. Which is fine. Because for now, we’re having a good day.