Something 'In The Air'

[canesisters]

Maybe it's the weather.
Maybe it's the media.
Maybe it actually IS something in the air...

But it seems to me that more and more - more & more people are just itching for a fight. A wrong word, an 'off' tone, even a fleeting expression is all it takes and suddenly anger is boiling over - words are flying - faces are turning red and hate is being spewed.

I work with a fairly 'reactive' group of guys. Truck drivers are not know to be a generally tolerant bunch. But lately, having the printer take a bit too long to print or having the computer glitch and need to be rebooted is an 'end of the world' event worthy of shouting and kicking walls and even driving off without completed paperwork.

Two coworkers are spending 2 days 'on the street' for refusing to do the EASIEST job on the landfill (driving the sweeper) because it wasn't 'their' job.

My renter has been a terror for weeks. Any comment or question will be met with defensiveness and accusations of unfairness. ??

Even in my prayer group there is a current of un-settled-ness (is that a word? it should be). And I've even seen uncharacteristically reactive behavior in my favorite forums.

I don't want to even talk about all the 'ugliness' that has dominated public and social media lately.

I find that my own 'hackles' go up with no REAL reason lately.

Is it because we've (the big 'we' as a group/culture) been submerged in such a deep well of conflict for so long that we've lost sight of the good stuff?

Maybe it's just me and nobody else is feeling this. ?

I - for one - am resisting this. I am going to find the good, the beauty, the simple.
There are crocuses blooming in my yard. There is a red shouldered hawk living in the field right next to the scale and I have a wonderful view of her daily activities. Today is sunny and windy and cool - PERFECT early spring weather. I know it's not spring... but it COULD be....today. I have continued to say 'Good Morning' and 'Good Afternoon' to every one of those surly truck divers and to smile and say 'Thank you' as they snatch their paperwork & turn their backs. I will plan this summers' garden. I will make yogurt and clean stalls and build chicken roosts. I will smile and say hi to the dozen people that I pass going into and coming out of the grocery store even if not a single one acknowledges that I'm there. I will wave at passing drivers. I will keep an eye out for and enjoy the doe & her twins that cross the driveway most mornings. I will hug my cow and snuggle with my cats and enjoy friends.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Cane, I am in agreement but I'll stick to saying that you cannot control what others do, you can control what you do. Someone else's actions cannot make you less of a lady, only you can do that. Life is what we make it. Maybe it will help you to thing that this too shall pass. It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass,

And definitely keep an eye out for that doe and her twins. When that deer jumped in front of the car repairs were around $5,000.

 

[Nyboy]

I think sun light and moods are linked. When the days are short so are the moods.

 

[Larisa]

I think it's everywhere. I get the same thing. And it's really "in the air". You're doing it right.
Like water that flows between the sharp stones. She has no control over these rocks, of course. It changes them. Slowly but change stones. And the stones will never be able to scratch the water.

 

[seedcorn]

1). This time of year, people get short tempered. Has to do with lack of sunshine, hormones, etc...
2). It's up to me (collective me) to make my mind up to make this world a better place.
3). Be a loppy, my neighbor who knows no stranger and waves at everyone.......
4). Agree that even here some have lost their way with abusive language or just left. Can't control the way humans act-my wife and kids taught me that.........

Good news is, sun will come out, hormones will kick in and all will be golden.

 

[ninnymary]

I see it out there but not with those that I interact with. As for myself, I CHOOSE to be happy, positive, and to be kind to others. There is much beauty and goodness in the world. I choose to see that instead of negativeness.

Mary

 

[digitS']

Debbie, try to imagine them as some of the guys who have joined me below my signature .

Haven't we been celebrate boys will be boys thinking (or lack of it), quite long enough?

I've been reading a little about cognitive dissonance. Wikipedia describes that with an example of not wanting to get drunk but then drinking too much alcohol. People want to make smart choices. I think most of us want to be good people. Everyone has decisions to make every day but some are really important ones. Decisions where they are investing in a choice. They try to decide if the choice is compatible with who they think they are. At some point in their lives, boys need to grow up.

@thistlebloom is around so she can slap me down for taking this out of context, if she wants:

We are all vulnerable little kids inside no matter the layers of confidence we clothe ourselves with.

Accept that reality but then think about choices. Really think.

Steve
.
.
.

 

[thistlebloom]

@thistlebloom is around so she can slap me down for taking this out of context, if she wants:

Wait, what? Is that who I am? I hope not...although I realize my shortcomings and triggers, even if I don't always have them in hand.

Anyway Steve, you're safe, I wouldn't dare do that on this thread,
talk about spotlights! And also I can't even remember the context for that quote.

I was in town today spraying (useless ) deer repellent (that is a good way for me to get heartburn, surveying all the damage and deer tracks on my jobs) but I shook off the irritation and stopped at the market to get a few things. Joked around with an older guy who I gave cuts to
and he stopped and thanked me again before he left. Swapped smiles and how's your day going with the cashier, and teenage bagger, and drove out, where a car that had the right of way stopped and waved me in front of them.

So it may be in the air but not everybody's breathing it.

 

[Smart Red]

I have been walking around with a smile on my face on the theory that I can't cry if I'm smiling. I have been met with so many smiling faces from so many strangers in so many places that I've decided not to stop.

It is harder to smile than frown dispite reading that a frown took more muscles. Old muscles must have a tendency to droop into a frown without thought.

 

[baymule]

I decided years ago to be happy and cheerful. So I am. I can't help it if someone else is having a bad day, but it's their bad day, not mine.