A small group of friends got together for lunch the other day. All gathered looked a bit weary around the eyes.
“I hate people,” said the black Crow. And so the conversation began.
“I’m kind of there with you,” said the grey Fox. “Or perhaps I’m just really tired of poorly behaving people.”
“I’ve met several nice people this year,” said the family Dog, “but I can also say I’ve met some very difficult folks, too.”
“I try to please everyone, take care of everyone, anticipate the needs of everyone,” said eager Beaver, “but no one seems to even notice. Then if I get really busy and one little thing slips up, the volcano erupts.”
“I’ve decided there are two types of people,” declared Crow. “There are those who open doors, walk through, and never consider holding it open for someone else or even bothering to close it, and then there are those who open the door and hold it for the next person.”
“I’ve always said there are open or closed curtain people,” said Dog.
Grey Fox had been sitting quietly listening to everyone’s opinion. “I think the world is made up of two kinds also,” Fox said. “Those who open their windows and throw crap out and those who come along after them and clean it up.” All those around the table chuckled at the mental picture.
“Seriously,” Fox said, “we need to change the folks who are throwing crap out the window. Those of us always cleaning it up are getting tired – tired of those who feel so entitled, tired of those who think their time is more important than anyone else’s time. We need to start with our young, and teach them manners do count. Everyone counts. Work hard, do the right thing, be polite, and criticize only if it’s constructive.”
“You sound like some sound bite,” said Beaver. “We can sit here and gnaw all day, but nothing will be accomplished.”
“I did something the other day,” said Dog. “In my college classroom, I told the students before they leave after each class they need to pick up their spots and push their chairs back in. I’ve come into the classroom and had to pick up water and pop bottles, newspapers, spit balls, and candy wrappers in order for the room to be ready for my class. I’ve asked my class to start acting more ‘professional’, take more care of their surroundings. With privileges come responsibilities. College is a privilege, not a right.”
“It sounds like we need to start caring more,” said Crow.
“That would be a start,” said Fox. “People are so quick to anger today, and if you take a step back and look, there was no damage. “
“I think people have more pressures on them today, and maybe we’re not prepared to handle it,” said Dog. “Maybe we need to be teaching kids how to handle disappointment, rather than shielding them from disappointment. “
“Maybe we adults need to set a better example,” said Crow.
Eager Beaver had been quiet for some time. “I think,” he said, “that we need to acknowledge the crap, but pay more attention to the positive and quit paying attention to the trash-throwers. Stop giving them so much power and energy.”
“I’ll personally start today,” said Dog. “When I go for my evening stroll, I will take a bag and pick up litter, even if it’s not my own. “
“I will quit calling and complaining,” said Crow. “I will try to only talk about positives, not negatives.”
“I pledge to slow down a little, and pay more attention to the details,” said Beaver.
Fox was smiling slyly at the table. “I think we ‘nice’ people should band together, and unite our forces. Live by one another, be there for one another, maybe even start using our financial power to support one another. Buy from the nice businesses, support the common sense politicians. “
Our bill came – the wait staff had been very polite. We tipped generously. We felt empowered.
