Common Courtesy

I think it is safe to say common courtesy is no longer common. I have a neighbor next to my business who keeps on proving he doesn't know about being courteous to others. There is very limited parking for our businesses, 7 spaces for 6 businesses. They will take up just as many parking places as then can, even two at a time with one rig. When I bring it up, they usually move, and make room for others, but to be honest I just can't seem to understand why I should have to ask in the first place.

I guess I just had a strange up-bringing. My parents taught me to think of others before I think of myself. It's not that I don't want things for myself; I just don't want them at the expense of others. Today it seems everyone is all about the ME, and the hell with others. If you ever want an example of this just watch the way people drive.

I've got a negative attitude right now, and I don't like it. I have gotten to the point I don't like to be around people much anymore, just because there seem to be so many ME orientated people out there. I know in my heart and in my head, they are not the majority, just a very annoying minority. Most people are good kind people who are just doing the best they can, but those others I just want to walk up to them and smack them on the forehead, and tell them to wake up and smell the coffee. Get a clue in life, and show some respect towards others. Don't you remember the golden rule, "Treat others as you would want to be treated."

Sadly, at the very least it would show how rude I am to others, and at the worst I would end up in jail wondering if anyone got the license of the truck that just ran over me. Most people like my neighbor aren't trying to be rude to others, they just were never taught how to apply the golden rule to their lives.

So where does that leave people like me who get so upset, we want to do stupid things? It leaves us with the perfect example of the golden rule from the Bible, "Turn the other cheek."

First we have to decide whether we want to be part of the solution, or part of the problem? If we get upset, scream and yell, then we are part of the problem. Second, you have to decide if you're willing to be part of the solution. If you don't like something, then the obvious answer is to change it.

The best way to change something is to teach with love. You can't be mad at someone and love them at the same time, at least I don't know how to do it. I have to first let go of my anger, and turn the other cheek, showing them love. Only in this spirit can I then begin to learn what the other person values, and teach them what I think they did wrong. Beware though for what you think is rude, might be considered just the opposite to someone else from a different culture. The perfect situation is when both of you can learn to respect each other.

I guess what I am trying to remind myself is before I get upset, I should try and see if things can just be simply made into a win, win situation for both of us, without anyone feeling they have been treated rudely, or unfair. If you do decide to thump the person on the forehead, be sure to let me know how that goes. I am sure there is another great article there, but I am too chicken to see for myself. I'm afraid I might not like the lesson involved.