Change yourself first

Once upon a time, there was a young woman in a small village. One day, she got married to a man who had a 5-year-old son. Although her husband was kind and took care of her, his son didn't like her. She tried many ways that little boy to love her but she could not do. He never obeyed her words, he always argued with her and never showed any kindness to her. So, she was unhappy about her stepson everyday.

Some days later, she went to an old woman who had many experiences in her village and asked her advices how to make her stepson love her. The old woman listened everything what she had told and then asked, " What do you want to be?"

"I want him love me. I want his respect and  kindness to me", the young woman answered.

"Well... then, did you try to be kind and helpful to him? ", the old woman asked her again.

"Yes! Yes, of course. I loved him as my own son.", the young woman answered again too.

The old woman nodded her head and said the words slowly, " Daughter, if you want him to be changed, you have to change yourself too."

The young woman complained, "Oh! Grandma, this is not possible for me. I can't change my daily habits and attitudes only for him. I am very nice to him. Is it not enough for our relationship? How can I change myself to be?"

The old woman smiled and said, "Daughter, now you see you have something that can't be changed. And he will have too. You need not only the strength to change things but also the the serenity to accept the things you cannot change. Please let him be as he is."

The young woman replied, "Grandma, it is impossible to change by only one side. He also needs to change himself. He should know that. How can I do, Grandma?"

"Don't be worried about this, Daughter. Time will tell both of you. He is still a young child. He needs to learn many things in his life. Just try to change yourself first. Not try to be essential. Just try to be supportive for him. In a journey that both sides has to start, please start the first step from your side. He will come to you soon", the old woman told her.

The young woman had understood the ways how to improve the relationship with her stepson and went back her home happily by saying million of thanks to the old woman.

Tipps - Sometimes, we want someone to be changed for us but we forget to change ourselves. Before you try to change somebody, try to change yourself first. 

P.S - Photo credits go to http://clipartheaven.com/