Just Be Nice

            There’s been a whole lot of negativity flying around the world lately. Not that it’s a surprise. There are a lot of people angry about a lot of things right now – and many of them have good reason. Unfortunately, this is leading a lot of people to be uncivil.

            The trouble is that when everyone believes they are right (and who wouldn’t? Why would anyone bother holding an opinion they believe is wrong?), ideas that go against theirs tend to result in raised hackles. People get upset, and when people are upset they tend to stop listening. They will argue their point until all they can do to sway their similarly upset opponent is to insult them and claim they know nothing (I’m sure we can all think of a very prominent public figure who demonstrates this perfectly).

            Once a conflict devolves into this, there’s really no hope of resolution. The argument becomes a back-and-forth about nothing in particular and all it manages to achieve is to widen the divide.

            The gap is too big already.

            So, right now, more than ever, it is important to not spout negativity at others – no matter how right you are. Feel free to try to persuade people of your views, but keep it civil. If emotions are getting high, turn around and walk away.

            Because, no matter how right you are, if you make the choice to hurt someone, you are in the wrong. What’s more, every time you hurt someone, it becomes a weapon for the people opposing you in the future. It reflects poorly not only on you, but on everyone who shares in your beliefs. You may even inadvertently become a bully, without even noticing that’s what you’ve become.

            There are a lot of problems in the world right now. More than enough. Don’t become another one. Just be nice to people. You can still stand up for your beliefs without becoming belligerent, and you’ll be far more effective that way.

Click here to find the charity anthology containing a couple of my short stories.

Also, make sure you check out my wife's blog and her life coaching website.


If there's any subject you'd like to see me ramble on about, feel free to leave a comment asking me to do so.

Pizza and Brains

            It’s interesting, what sticks with you over time. It isn’t always what you expect.

            This week, for the first time in over three years, I returned to the pizza store where my wife and I used to work. Colleen had just been cured of lactose intolerance and we were celebrating with lots of cheese.

            We were both uncertain as to what would be dredged up in our memories as we returned. While it makes the best pizza we know of, that store was a source of great stress for both of us – so much so that it led us to quit, in spite of the fact that we generally enjoyed the work itself and were very attached to the place.

            Entering the store as a customer (for the first time), I expected to be flooded with reminders of all the negativity that led to me quitting. Instead, I was surprised to find that, instead, I was remembering all the good times I’d had there. A few of the more entertaining bad memories surfaced, but my mind just glazed over them. Colleen reported much the same. That’s nostalgia for you.

            It’s nice to get flooded with positive when you’re expecting negative. I wonder if that’s just how our brains work – with it being easier to remember the good than the bad, as long as it was from long enough ago. Hmm... Now I must do some research into that.

            Oh, and the pizza was excellent. Coming from someone who spent five years treating making pizzas as an art, that’s saying something.

Click here to find the charity anthology containing a couple of my short stories.

If there's any subject you'd like to see me ramble on about, feel free to leave a comment asking me to do so.