I'm a sucker for simple gestures, I've realized. Holding open doors, allowing someone to use your book when (s)he doesn't have one, jumping up to get tissues for someone struggling through a reading (good job, Izzy & Jesse), makes me realize there is hope for the human race. It's not a chivalry thing, it's not a gender thing. It's a human thing. We should treat each other nicely, because we are all in this together.
Every year, I see or do something that makes me recognize more and more how much of an effect our actions have on other people. The things we do (and don't do) can really make or break someone's mood, their attitude, their perspective. It won't hurt you to listen to someone you never listened to before instead of choosing to talk through their reading; it won't hurt you to hold off on making the easy joke at someone's expense; it won't hurt you to hold the door open two seconds longer so that the person behind you can make it through.
We always complain about life being so unfair, but don't WE make it unfair? I mean, aren't we in charge? So, therefore, can't we make it fair? Can't we make it better? Can't we start by treating each other better, just a little bit better, just a little bit more human...to truly realize the meaning behind the words, "treat others the way you want to be treated." Well, look, no one wants to be treated like shit. So we better stop treating others that way. Or if we do, if we laugh at someone else's pain, if we gossip, if we judge, if we assume--well, y'all better expect it to come right back at ya. And don't you dare complain about it, because you earned it.
We don't have to go out and change the world by raising billions of dollars for cancer research, or by buying a whole new car to reduce the use of gas. We can just smile at someone. Start small. Start simple.
ya i know how great a simple gesture feels, like every morning my gf send me a good morning and at night a good night; always having a smile after to show she really cares for me... i try my best to smile at people at school or go up and say hi to people, trying to put smiles on there faces. Things would be a lot better around school if people just gave others simple little gestures.
ReplyDeleteJoe: I know that feeling well. It was harsh to not wake up to a "good morning" from a special person. It still is.
ReplyDeleteHaskett: I couldn't agree more. The smallest things are what make the greatest difference. It all comes down to self-preservation. People become selfish in two ways: greed and self-defense. Either they just want more for themselves, or they are trying to protect themselves. But the greatest people get past both of these and push on, attempting to be selfless. Most people don't hold a door because they feel they don't know you and don't care about you. But why not? Why not hold the door? What? Is the person going to bite your head off?
"You bloody sickling! How dare you hold the door for the likes of me! Go die!"
Uh, no.