I need to vent... not a better place to vent in this world than on a blog that hopefully more people will see and learn a bit of a lesson from!
BE KIND AND POLITE!!!
(*Note: I will be the first to admit my own weakness... I am impatient and definitely can lose my temper. John has experienced many melt-downs of mine over the almost two years of being together and the short 6.5 months we have been married! I am not a perfect tempered person!)
However, my parents raised me to respect my elders and those around me. I take responsibility for my actions and to be polite and courteous when I am out in public, talking to someone, at the dinner table, at a restaurant, at a grocery store, etc.
My father still comments on our table manners even now that we are all adults! And you better believe if I, or anyone else for that matter, were to talk to anyone within ear range and be disrespectful or impolite that he would call us out ( in front of everyone ) on it!
With this being said... was no one else raised the same way? Or has majority of people forgotten common courtesy and manners!?!
I have days of rude students who feel that they deserve the world to be served to them on a silver platter, bib already tied around their neck, and don't forget the spoon feeding! Talking to those in my staff, including me, like we are nothing but to bend over backwards for their every want and request. Uh, nope! Welcome to the real world kiddos. Universities have whats called policies and procedures. Sorry you dont like them and feel that they inconvience you. You dont like your teacher? You didn't turn in your homework so your failing? Didn't pass your tests or quizzes so your failing? Your teacher doesn't grade on a curve so your not getting the grade you think you deserve? You missed the deadline so no one is accepting your request form? (oh this list can go on and on) Well kiddo, life isn't fair and take some responsibility...
Oh wait, its my fault? I didn't do your homework? I didn't register for the class? I didn't take advantage of study groups, go to class, or even talk to the teacher themselves, I neglected to turn something in on time... ha! Nope. I managed to graduate with my own degree and wont be accepting any of your excuses why this world is out to get just you!
Can I mention a student who came rushing through the door, ran straight into me, and not turn around to say "excuse me" or "sorry"? When I offered up the first of apologies for being in his way and his response... "..."! Yes he looked at me and said nothing!
That just pushed me over the edge! I looked at him and said "EXCUSE ME!". It didn't phase him. He just started walking away as he said over his shoulder, "excuse me".
SERIOUSLY!!
Another example brings me at Trader Joe's. I love love love Trader Joe's. My reasons for loving it could be a topic of another post at some point. My example is as follows:
I am walking in the fruit section to look for the awesome fruit platters they use to sell (*side note: They don't anymore) and I happen to find myself in their pre-made sandwich section. Since I hadn't already eaten I figured a sandwich would taste yummy! So I reached in and grabbed a sandwich! I started reading the label when the lady next to me (who had been in that same spot since my search for the no-longer-available-fruit-platters and my decision making process for which sandwich to grab) turns to me, folds her arms, and HEAVILY sighs. I look at her, look at the cart that is not even in the same refrigerator section about 5 feet away, and look back at her. "Sorry am I in your way?" I offer up and move back a few steps...
Sure enough she walks past me in front, to her cart, and walks off... HAVING SAID NOTHING!!
I not-so-politely respond to her passiveness with a "well Merry Christmas to you to!o"
SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!
Look I love man-kind! I love my spiritual brothers and sisters no matter where you live, what color you are, what gender you dig, what you do for a living! I have absolutely no need to judge you and the person you are based on any of that... BUT when you treat others and myself like we are nothing more than just annoyances to you, I don't care who the heck you are, you have been judge in my book and I will no longer stand by!
People show respect, show love, and try to show patience. Its hard... its freaking hard sometimes. But I read way too much of the news that shows me how sad and hurtful people are to one another out in this world.
Kindness has to start somewhere!! Kindness has to start from someone!
This is my new goal... to be kinder and more patient. I cant expect those around me to act the way I want if I dont act the same.
I am no better then someone else who is walking through the same door, driving down the same road, and in search of the same grocery ingredients. My priorities are just as important to me as they are to someone who has their priorities on their minds!
With that being said, have a very Merry Christmas and please be kind!!
