hey you, you're being kind of a jerk.

i understand that it's hard to be "on" all the time, but when did people become so rude?

i look around and am disappointed in a lot of the things i am seeing, the way people are acting towards each other, human beings, their own kind. there is so much anger; aggressive behavior. maybe i've just reached a stage of my life where i have become more observant of it, or perhaps society as a whole has just become angrier. regardless, it makes me sad. 

working in hospitality for many years, it wouldn't be uncommon for me to encounter a customer who possessed a less than friendly disposition. responding to an upset or aggravated person with the same attitude is a recipe for disaster. A guest's visit typically exceeded one hour, so i wouldn't waste any time - i wouldn't allow myself to have a reaction that mimicked that of my angry guest, instead i would smile, greeting them briefly and then i would do all that i could to accommodate them, making them feel welcomed. i would keep a friendly disposition. when they would finish, i would thank them for joining us. and guess what, it always worked. they would leave with a smile. if i let the situation sit, the guest would continue to be grumpy, then they wouldn't enjoy their experience because it's too easy to focus on the little negatives when you feel like everything is just the worst. i looked at it as a challenge; passing along some happy vibes to a stranger inevitably continues to be passed along, making what could be a significant difference in a persons day. and at no cost. so i smile. i smile so that maybe i can be that difference that helps them recognize that even though they are grumpy, there are people who care and good things will happen, the sun will continue to rise.

i am not completely innocent myself. i'm emotional. i am a human being. sometimes it just isn't possible to be "on" all the time. but then again, i also tend to try to be a decent human being. i care about people and i feel bad for people who are having a tough time, regardless of what that tough thing is. i do believe that like positive energy, a person's negative energy also radiates. once you're in it, it is harder to get out of that rut of anger. you infect the people around you with your sour taste, the aggravation festers on. 

society isn't purely ridden with anger and sadness, though it sure seems to be becoming more potent. it reminds me more and more of the pleasure that comes with the experience of sharing a friendly exchange with someone else, it's much, much lovelier than an angry one. so here is something i want you to consider. take a moment and breathe - it helps. smile - it radiates. it's contagious. at the end of the day, those stresses that are making you so easily aggravated, so self consumed, so incredibly unaware or just ignorant of your surroundings, deal with them - these are the things that will make you stronger. stop being so mean to people. be courteous - it feels good, i promise. whatever you're experiencing, there are people who care about you. there are people who want to see you happy. you deserve to be happy. so do the things that make you smile. surround yourself with the people who you love and who make you feel loved and inspire you. it's never too late. you're never too old and you're definitely worth it. but right now, you're being kind of a jerk. so stop. take a minute. breathe. take time to appreciate the little victories. smile for no reason. think about others. think before you react. don't be shitty.