This was written over the course of two days at two different Starbucks. This is an account of my annoying and unwanted opinions, that may or may not be valid. That decision is up to you to make.
Ever wonder where you belong in the sea of traffic you put yourself against everyday? There’s people everywhere on their on little missions and journeys. Someone could be on their way home to their significant other and others are simply looking to get home from an exhausting day of work. It’s inevitable that some people are dicks and others will go directly out their way to hold the door for you. But regardless, every day we have our own little journey.
For example, there’s an Asian man wearing a vintage gap sweater and reading some book with his starbucks Frappuccino and one leg crossed over the other. I could sit here and blog about him for 2 hours especially since I have an enormous prejudice against Asians seeing as they are literally always trying to hit me with their vehicles and pissing me off at work asking if things are on sale. But I won’t. I am not going to because as a human race, the first thing we do when we see strangers is judge. Sometimes these strangers become friends and although we never stop judging, some of that judgment turns into recognition, and then appreciation. Judgment is prominent in society. Again I find myself sitting at starbucks drinking an unnecessarily overpriced drink giving into consumerism and judging people as they walk by.
Today’s example: the nervous, avid gym goer. This guy will not stop tapping his damn foot on the ground and texting on his god damn blackberry. His laptop has been open for an hour but I have not seen him type a single thing yet. Half an hour ago he ran out of Starbucks frantically to get an envelope. This had me thinking that he was making a drug deal. Alas, he pulled out a few pieces of paper and to my disappointment; it wasn’t a drug deal in Starbucks. For all I know, it could be an essay he’s editing for a friend. He is wearing a shirt that is 2 sizes too small for him and he is too tanned for my liking.
Again, I can sit here all day and complain about every which person I see that enters Starbucks. But then I remember that each of these people is fighting a battle. Someone once told me that each and every person you meet is fighting a battle. I, as a fellow human being, have no right to try and pry into other people lives. As much as that fascinates me, I can’t. When my degree is over, it will be my job. I am going to have a Ph.D in clinical psychology and I might be counseling one of you. And that is the only point at which it is ok to want to know people’s past, present, and future. But I bet you this guy and I could be friends. We could talk about the gym (in which I am also an avid attender), share blackberry stories (as I have one as well) and reminisce about our lives.
When we judge, we are being hypocrites. Again, the first thing we do when we see a stranger is judge. But my challenge to you today is to challenge that judgment. Make it into a compliment or potential conversation starter. They are as human as you are if not more. Challenge your thoughts always and you might surprise yourself with what the outcome is from that.
M2
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Life is a battle... Yes, it is. And some days we are the winners while on the other days we struggle: more or less. I am finding it correct, too, that we usually do judge strangers, by the way they dress or look or even walk, sometimes even based on the way they drive. I am often cursing and cussing inside my car to the other mxxherxxxers when they cut in front of me. They might really be in rush, who knows; or maybe they are nothing but asxxxxes getting their anger, madness and unhappiness with World on others. So while they enjoy making me mad, I like my enclosed space in my car where I can yell at them as much as my lungs let me do it. But, I don't think that's only human "thing". That goes under behavior of all mammals. My kitty enjoys, like every other, watching through the window. And, boy: do I know when other kitty is approaching? Yes I do. Our kitty meows so loudly and angrily, and she does not care it's 3:00 am. Looks like, we all mammals, do have some identical genes responsible for getting along with others or disliking others. Bottom line, we all have them. Depending which ones (genes) are being busier that day, we will either act friendly or be mad at the World. And so will others. And when you add electron-proton reaction to all the movements of the matter, it's hard to predict our next days and feelings. All we can do is try our best to have a grin on our face. Chances are, we we will get one in return: a definite ticket to a happy day! concernedmom |
The 'ol insomnia again, huh?