"If he had let himself believe he was being cruel to Celia he couldn't have done it.... He was, like many brutally honest men, dishonest about himself. He thought himself a finer fellow than he really was..."
- "Unfinished Portrait" by Mary Westmacott (Agatha Christie)
So I stole this from a friend's note on Facebook; but it really struck me.
It's hard to gauge how we are perceived by people because we have this idea of ourselves and either we hold ourselves to be better than we are, or we beat ourselves down and think we are worse than we are.
This is why honesty in relationships is SO important, because sometimes it takes a kick in the head for us to realize we're completely oblivious of how we're treating the people in our lives.
Think about it.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Cx2 on... Drugs
Ok this is a hot topic for a lot of people. The best/worst part about it.. is that drugs (in their recreational use) have become so socially acceptable that you could walk down the street smoking a hitter and no one would stop you.
I don't judge anyone for their choices in life. However, I could not function at all normally if I did half the amount of drugs that the people in my life do.
Maybe it's because I don't get it. Maybe it's that I enjoy being sober and living my life and experiencing the things in life.. soberly.
Maybe it IS because I couldn't function normally.
I haven't been able to have a drink since 2 Fridays ago.. and it is driving me.. insane. It's ridiculous that I'm having trouble going 2 weeks without a drink. Wow.
Our society is living in a daze. Taking pills for everything and anything. It's to the point where we make movies and shows and idolize the drug lords, everyone's a dealer.. one way or another.
No one can just DEAL anymore. We have to COPE. We have to do something in order to just exist.
Sometimes.. I think it's simply out of boredom.. because there just isn't anything better to do.
I don't judge anyone for their choices in life. However, I could not function at all normally if I did half the amount of drugs that the people in my life do.
Maybe it's because I don't get it. Maybe it's that I enjoy being sober and living my life and experiencing the things in life.. soberly.
Maybe it IS because I couldn't function normally.
I haven't been able to have a drink since 2 Fridays ago.. and it is driving me.. insane. It's ridiculous that I'm having trouble going 2 weeks without a drink. Wow.
Our society is living in a daze. Taking pills for everything and anything. It's to the point where we make movies and shows and idolize the drug lords, everyone's a dealer.. one way or another.
No one can just DEAL anymore. We have to COPE. We have to do something in order to just exist.
Sometimes.. I think it's simply out of boredom.. because there just isn't anything better to do.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
RE: Death Cx2- Impact
[My deepest condolences to DBC, and the family of the deceased]
I don't think there's anyone out there who can say they've been lucky enough to lose someone close to them or someone significant in their lives, so you can all relate to DBC's feelings.
Something I find myself pondering [morbidly, but it's still something that runs through my mind occasionally.] What sort of impact do you think you've had on people's lives? If you were gone tomorrow, what do you think people would say about you? What would they miss about you?
What is the meaning of life? To make the biggest impact you can on those around you, and change the world for the better.. even through very simple means.
Small actions make big impacts. Do good at every chance you have.
This reminds me of a quote from the final episode of Boy Meets World. [Side note: Did Feeny ever write a book? Think about it. Epically philosophical - I'd buy it]
George Feeny: Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do good
Topanga: Don't you mean do well?
George Feeny: No, I mean do good.
We sometimes forget that our actions create ripple effects on those around us, even the people we might only interact with once, or for very short periods of time.
It warms my heart when I find myself faced with the chance to do something to make someone's day better or easier.
In my work, it might be a special color choice that matches the bedding in a little girl's room and she's going to be so surprised, or helping someone carry the extra gallon they can't carry in two hands out to their car.
The other day at the grocery store, the lady checking me out had some trouble bagging the groceries herself (she's short like me) and I helped her by moving the items closer for her. She smiled very warmly and said, "thank you."
And I felt good..
Do something good today.
-Cx2
I don't think there's anyone out there who can say they've been lucky enough to lose someone close to them or someone significant in their lives, so you can all relate to DBC's feelings.
Something I find myself pondering [morbidly, but it's still something that runs through my mind occasionally.] What sort of impact do you think you've had on people's lives? If you were gone tomorrow, what do you think people would say about you? What would they miss about you?
What is the meaning of life? To make the biggest impact you can on those around you, and change the world for the better.. even through very simple means.
Small actions make big impacts. Do good at every chance you have.
This reminds me of a quote from the final episode of Boy Meets World. [Side note: Did Feeny ever write a book? Think about it. Epically philosophical - I'd buy it]
George Feeny: Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do good
Topanga: Don't you mean do well?
George Feeny: No, I mean do good.
We sometimes forget that our actions create ripple effects on those around us, even the people we might only interact with once, or for very short periods of time.
It warms my heart when I find myself faced with the chance to do something to make someone's day better or easier.
In my work, it might be a special color choice that matches the bedding in a little girl's room and she's going to be so surprised, or helping someone carry the extra gallon they can't carry in two hands out to their car.
The other day at the grocery store, the lady checking me out had some trouble bagging the groceries herself (she's short like me) and I helped her by moving the items closer for her. She smiled very warmly and said, "thank you."
And I felt good..
Do something good today.
-Cx2
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Death - DBC
Before writing my entry for the day I would like to comment on the previous post. I feel the art of being polite is lost in our society. It boils down to one simple thing, our attitudes are contagious to those around us and our attitudes depend on those around us. If we have negative views of everyone and everything around us, politeness goes out the window. Anymore it's much easier to tell someone to fuck themselves rather than show a genuine interest in them. It seems society has lost any form of empathy that it may have ever had. With times being more difficult for everyone, we are all on edge and common courtesy has gone by the wayside, in fact lets just call it courtesy cause it is not common at all.
I could ramble on politeness for a while. However, my heart is being pulled in a different direction this evening. While watching the 6 o'clock news this evening I saw a story about a co-worker who was found dead in the streets of Carbondale early this morning. Cause of death has yet to be identified, foul play is not expected, either way he is gone. This man was 53 years old and had done way too many drugs in his time. He always had a story and a smile on his face. I would often join him on his smoke break for what I coined my, "second hand smoke break". We grew close during these times discussing anything and everything. Sports, coworkers, and everything else in between. He would dish out plenty of shit, and be willing to take it all back if you could find a way to do it. The point of all this being, you get to know people on a daily basis and rarely do you think any more of them than that. It's too easy to take for granted that they will be there the next day. It's always when they aren't there the next day that we realize how vulnerable we all are. It's easy to feel guilty for taking these things for granted, but its human nature what else can we do?
We never really know how much more time we have left on this Earth. I could be gone tomorrow at this time, I have no idea. It's inevitable in life that we will take something for granted, and there is no hiding from that fact. The best we can do is live each day to the fullest and treat people as we wish to be treated. The next time you have a conversation with a coworker that goes a little deeper than the work environment itself, be thankful for that moment cause once it's gone, you may never get it back.
I'll never forget my coworker, he was truly one of a kind. The last shift we worked together was last Friday and we had some fun throwing random food at each other. We had planned a major food fight for this Friday because it was the last shift we would work together before I left. That food fight won't take place for a little longer now. I've got a little more time to stock some ammunition for the big food fight in the sky... or do i???
I could ramble on politeness for a while. However, my heart is being pulled in a different direction this evening. While watching the 6 o'clock news this evening I saw a story about a co-worker who was found dead in the streets of Carbondale early this morning. Cause of death has yet to be identified, foul play is not expected, either way he is gone. This man was 53 years old and had done way too many drugs in his time. He always had a story and a smile on his face. I would often join him on his smoke break for what I coined my, "second hand smoke break". We grew close during these times discussing anything and everything. Sports, coworkers, and everything else in between. He would dish out plenty of shit, and be willing to take it all back if you could find a way to do it. The point of all this being, you get to know people on a daily basis and rarely do you think any more of them than that. It's too easy to take for granted that they will be there the next day. It's always when they aren't there the next day that we realize how vulnerable we all are. It's easy to feel guilty for taking these things for granted, but its human nature what else can we do?
We never really know how much more time we have left on this Earth. I could be gone tomorrow at this time, I have no idea. It's inevitable in life that we will take something for granted, and there is no hiding from that fact. The best we can do is live each day to the fullest and treat people as we wish to be treated. The next time you have a conversation with a coworker that goes a little deeper than the work environment itself, be thankful for that moment cause once it's gone, you may never get it back.
I'll never forget my coworker, he was truly one of a kind. The last shift we worked together was last Friday and we had some fun throwing random food at each other. We had planned a major food fight for this Friday because it was the last shift we would work together before I left. That food fight won't take place for a little longer now. I've got a little more time to stock some ammunition for the big food fight in the sky... or do i???
Cx2 on... Politeness
Politeness.
It seems to be very basic ideals of politeness have gone down the tubes lately.
I'm not talking about being overly polite, just very simple things like, "please" "thank you" "nice to meet you."
Things like acting professional during work, especially when you work with the public and at least in front of customers.
Or when you're out for work, but still on the clock, not throwing a literal temper-tantrum and dropping F-bombs left and right.
When invited into someone's home, accepting an offer when it is extended or if you change your mind after the fact, asking permission for items, or saying "no thank you" when you decline.
A simple, "Thanks for the hospitality," upon departure.
Being on time when you say you will be, or calling an apologizing when you get caught up with something.
If you're going to be more than a half hour late, just reschedule -- don't make people wait 2-3 hours.
It is incredibly rude to drop N-bombs, C-bombs in a public setting with mixed company. On that note, it is incredibly rude to scream into your cell phone to "never fucking call this number again" in a public setting.
Even going through drive-thrus I almost always say, "please" and "thank you". When one has to complain, rather, return something or have something adjusted, have an issue with a company.. try not to get angry with the person trying to help you.. [unless it's blatantly THEIR fault]
But it usually isn't. Anyone who's ever dealt with the public has had this issue at some point.
A good rule to follow is to put yourself in the other person's shoes. If you are polite to them, you'll most likely get better service, and maybe even any perks that being nice might get you.
I find being rude and unfriendly is way more work than being polite and personable. You should try it.
It seems to be very basic ideals of politeness have gone down the tubes lately.
I'm not talking about being overly polite, just very simple things like, "please" "thank you" "nice to meet you."
Things like acting professional during work, especially when you work with the public and at least in front of customers.
Or when you're out for work, but still on the clock, not throwing a literal temper-tantrum and dropping F-bombs left and right.
When invited into someone's home, accepting an offer when it is extended or if you change your mind after the fact, asking permission for items, or saying "no thank you" when you decline.
A simple, "Thanks for the hospitality," upon departure.
Being on time when you say you will be, or calling an apologizing when you get caught up with something.
If you're going to be more than a half hour late, just reschedule -- don't make people wait 2-3 hours.
It is incredibly rude to drop N-bombs, C-bombs in a public setting with mixed company. On that note, it is incredibly rude to scream into your cell phone to "never fucking call this number again" in a public setting.
Even going through drive-thrus I almost always say, "please" and "thank you". When one has to complain, rather, return something or have something adjusted, have an issue with a company.. try not to get angry with the person trying to help you.. [unless it's blatantly THEIR fault]
But it usually isn't. Anyone who's ever dealt with the public has had this issue at some point.
A good rule to follow is to put yourself in the other person's shoes. If you are polite to them, you'll most likely get better service, and maybe even any perks that being nice might get you.
I find being rude and unfriendly is way more work than being polite and personable. You should try it.
Welcome
Drew & I collaborated on this new project.
Our thoughts on the world around us, topic by topic.. issue by issue.. story by story..
So pass this link on. Make comments.
What issues plague you? What things do you want us to discuss? What burning questions do you have that our great minds can answer?
Goodman be with you.
Our thoughts on the world around us, topic by topic.. issue by issue.. story by story..
So pass this link on. Make comments.
What issues plague you? What things do you want us to discuss? What burning questions do you have that our great minds can answer?
Goodman be with you.
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