Mean People Suck

Do y'all remember those buttons and t-shirts that people wore in the 90s that had this particular slogan that said "Mean People Suck"? Well...I've been thinking about bringing it back and making it cool again. Was it ever really cool? Probably not. I never wore any garment that had this slogan on it, and I was a little less conservative in those days. But, the older that I get and the more that I ponder and see the actions of others, the more I truly realize that this slogan meant to be funny, tongue in cheek, even kind of for shock value back in the day, is pretty darn accurate.

Really, I wish sometimes that I was one of those people. You know, the people who have mega cajones to stand up when they are wronged, or when others are wronged. The people that don't really worry about consequences, but they like to get their point across to others. It doesn't have to be in a  jerky way, just a way to make others think. Here's the conversation that I would have...I've practiced it over and over and over in my mind for years. Shoot, I practiced it in my mind today. Knowing that it will probably never occur - unless I have a total personality overhaul, or grow a pair overnight. Yeah, a pair. You know what I mean. 

Picture it....someone says something to you or someone that you care about that is straight mean. Uncalled for. Condescending. Especially when it is said to someone (or yourself) when you have tried really hard on something, or if they are mistaken on the facts. Here's the statement that I'm burning up inside to say: "So, did making me (or them) feel like less of a person, making me (or them) feel inferior, making me (or them) feel stupid make you feel awesome? Are you happy that you can now go home and lay your head on your pillow tonight knowing that you brought tears to my (or their) eyes? Are you proud that you hurt someone today?" If I was truly on a roll, I would love to follow it up with, "would you be happy if someone talked to your child the way you just talked to me (or them)"? Wonder what a person's face would look like if they were faced with the gravity of their tone or the gravity of their words? What if they realized the effects it had on ones self esteem? Would they really give a dang or would it be just another day?

Honestly, completely honestly, I'm not writing about a specific event. Don't message me to ask if I am, cause I'm really not. I love your messages, but I really have no agenda. Have there been incidents? Why, sure! We have all had them! Well, I say that, but my husband swears that he has never had such an incident. I probably beg to differ. I have seen several of these type incidents recently. It really bothers me. I get that I'm a unicorn, all right? But, I truly think that most people are nice and try to get out there and do their best and be kind and do what they think is right & helpful. I also feel like most people are just trying to live and enjoy life. So, for someone to bust up with a mega cut down is just absolutely ridiculous to me. I think there are very few people that say 'hey, watch this, I'm gonna half crap do this and screw up someone else's day'! I think that too many people say stuff and not think about the way it makes others feel. 

I'm not always super kind. I strive to be...but I get hangry, I fly off at the handle over dumb things, I get tired and have the shortest fuse ever & when I'm sleepy, woah, it's rough, I get surrounded by incompetence and get frustrated, sometimes I feel like my needs aren't being met by certain things and act a fool. Sometimes, I'm opinionated/passionate, combined with being too trusting, and talk about my feelings too much. If you work with me, you've heard me drop it like it's hot at the desk when something is dumb. I'm not proud of those things, but I am human. But, I can promise that I really never, ever try to just be a stone cold jerk to someone and make them feel inferior. 

I just wish that before people spoke to one another, they would think about how they would feel if someone spoke to them the way they are about to speak to that person. You know I have a counseling degree....I'm gonna go straight dork (which, apparently, it's been confirmed that I am) and remind folks to THINK before speaking: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it necessary? Is it kind? 

I'm the first to joke on peeps. I'm the first to cut up and talk some trash. But, when it comes to making people feel like dirt, I hope that I'm last. I hope I'm not on the radar. I just wish that everyone else felt that way!! 

....and if you're reading this...it's not about you. I choose to stay away from peeps at all costs that don't live their lives this way. So, don't fret. It's just a bit of social injustice that's been on my mind a lot lately, and I needed to get it out with my favorite catharsis....writing :)