Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Courtesy

Upper 40's and sunshine made for a good ride.  As hard as I tried to prevent it, my mind kept drifting to the negativity in my life.  I found out that I had been taken advantage of.  I had helped someone get what they "needed".  "Baby on the way" etc.   Then I saw it for sale.  I guess they just wanted to make a buck.  Which is fine,  don't we all?  Need to pay the bills.  I don't mind that.  Don't play on my kindness and then flip it around to benefit yourself.

Then, as I was riding the gravel road, there was a dude walking 3 dogs off leash.  That's fine too,  but the freaking dog is in my lane and not moving.  I had to stop and unclip so I wouldn't run over the dog.  The dude acted like that was normal, saying" How ya doin'?"

I started wondering what is up with people?   Simple gestures to let people around you know that you care.  A simple apology for an inconvenience.  Am I entitled?  Can I not expect common courtesy?

I wonder how many times I get in the way and am oblivious.  If it happens, I do what I can to make it right. 

Common courtesy.  We are not in this world alone, we are not entitled.  We have to share,  we have to move over to pass,  we really need to start using our turn signals.  We need to take the time to stop for 30 seconds to let someone back out of their driveway.  What happened to the days of helping the old lady across the street?

And so went my ride.  Awesome weather, fun route, overpowered by this crap.

Today, I am looking for the good in people.  I'm attempting to get past the crap and focus on the good.

Bring it on!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hey stephen- be courteus to ourselves, first. As I remind myself very often, I am so lucky to live in beautiful WNC w/ a beautiful wife I love in a house I like with the means and the health to enjoy the outdoors and cycling. This aside from not being homeless,addicted to crack, effected with a chronic illness, or whatever else.
All of the above applies to you, plus you've got a kid. Be grateful and stop sweating about other people's comparatively minor issues. Keep trying to do good yourself, it's the best thing we can do to effect the behavior of others in the long-term.
Mike Brown
Sorry if that sounded preach-y.