A recent retreat I attended took place at a lovely community center with Arts and Crafts furniture, built in bookcases, and lots of windows. It was a cozy place to gather. It also had only one bathroom for 30+ people.

I noticed that whenever I followed a certain man in line for the bathroom, I would be greeted with a not so lovely image of a toilet seat in the raised position. This happened three times in two days.

At the end of the second day, I decided to say something to this man, as he obviously had no idea of the impact he was having. He looked to be a nice enough fellow, maybe in his late 30’s and probably single, as no wife would stand for such an annoying habit.

I approached him with a smile and this invitation: "Would you like to hear something that will improve your relationships with women?"

He perked up. I could tell I had gotten his attention. "Oh, yes. What is it?" Ahh….I had him now. "I’ve followed you in the bathroom line three times over the last two days. Each time, I found the toilet seat raised. Women don’t like that."

He was amused. "Oh. I live alone, so I never give a second thought." Yep. Just like I thought. A single guy who is oblivious to how the other half lives.

"Well, I have a husband and two sons and they’re well-trained."

"Which is to say?"

"That they leave the seat the way they found it, in the down position."

"Oh, well in that case, I did just that. I found the seat in the up position to begin with."

What? There was more than this one man at the retreat who had not been trained to put the seat down? And yet, I suddenly understood that my way was just that. My way, but not necessarily the right way.

We both laughed, realizing what this small incident had taught us.

"Who is to say which is the right way?" Yes, who is to say what is the right
way. I smiled and nodded.