The older I get, the crankier I become. I’m not certain whether it’s cranky or simply justified – and the way I should have been responding to life in the past!
How difficult is it to let someone merge in traffic? How difficult is it to hold the door for someone? How difficult is it to let someone with two items versus your 45 to slip in front of you in the checkout line in the grocery store?
The older I get, the more I’m finding that some folks are annoyed by courtesy, civility, and basic manners. They perceive their daily tasks to be more important and a priority over everyone else’s. It seems very few want to work together, but rather position for their very own place in life.
Am I the only one who perceives this as a problem? An issue? It is something that we should strive to overcome.
I’m cranky because social media, reality TV and a host of other platforms have robbed us of our common sense. Our morality. Our values and beliefs.
Tonight, at the grocery store, I witnessed a few people scoffing at my interaction with a very pregnant couple ahead of me – a couple who was struggling, and due in a few days. Something as simple as a grocery line checkout turned volatile and filled with impatience. I can only hope that the woman behind me took a moment to realize the humanity that was taking place and chose to embrace it.
Can we all cut each other some slack? Can we all make an effort to interact in a civilized way? Very few are not suffering in one way or another – and we have no way of knowing what someone else is enduring.
I’ve found myself waving at those who don’t say thank you for merging on a road, or in a parking lot. I’ve found myself speaking up when others make an excuse for their behavior. I may become the crazy middle-aged lady – or it seems that I may already be there!
Bring back timeless traits such as manners, respect, values, and beliefs. Bring back courtesy, civility and communication. Help, rather than hurt others.
And when all else fails – try a little tenderness.
