Does anyone really know anyone else? I have found out things about people I never would have known, and it has made me think about the way people view each other and treat each other. Imagine this popular high school girl, pretty, thin, seems to have it all. Did you know she goes home to a household where one of her parents is an alcoholic? Did you know the pretty blonde with the brand new sports car has a mother who doesn't give a damn about her? The adorable waitress who just took your order has a baby at home with a tracheotomy? The nice Jewish girl from Tenafly used to smoke meth? The boy in the corner is suicidal because he is gay and his father is a bigot? The little boy never speaks, and acts out because someone is molesting him? No one knows what it's like to walk in someone elses shoes, unless they have. Why then, do we not treat people with respect? I can not tell you how many times a customer has been so rude to me that I have been brought to tears.
When did people stop teaching their children manners? A guy I work with said he thought, based on how parents will allow their children to speak to waiters, everyone should have to take a mandatory manners class in school, along with Math, English, etc. Brilliant idea!! Then the schools can pick up the slack for what many parents are not doing at home. And what of envy, and jealousy; two of the most useless things on earth as far as I am concerned? Looking at the popular cheerleader in high school, or the captain of the football team, when you are a 15 year old, who is less popular, is brutal. I had friend, and I use that term loosely, who upon getting engaged told me "well, it's not as big as your ring, but..." WOW!! Really? I said to her, survive my life and you can have it. Live through all I have, and I will give you the friggen ring, no problem. You have no idea what I have lived through, even those of you who think you know my story, unless you heard me speak at a meeting, you do not know it all. Do not want what I have, my life is not about that. I am just happy to have survived.
As for the people in the beginning of this...they are real people, they have survived their lives to this point, and they are amazing people. Most of us who have had a rough road appreciate what we have just a little bit more, I know I do. So the next time you feel the need to treat someone in a way you would not like to be treated, think about this; this person is someones child, parent, friend, sibling, how would you like it if someone spoke to your mother, child, spouse, or sibling, the way you speak to your nanny, hair stylist, waitress, check out person at the grocery store, sales person at the mall? I tell my kids before you do something, ask yourself, "will this make my mommy proud?" if the answer is no, don't do it! Not a bad idea :)
