And The Pig Says...Moooo

No matter what you do, someone will criticize you for it.  The old saying is true; there really is no way to please anyone all of the time, or even everyone at any given time.

The problem with "We The People" of the United States of America though, is that most of the people here actually go out of their way to disagree with anything and anyone they can...it's our national sport apparently.

Not only do you see it every day, you probably do it every day, in one form or another - hey, I'm guilty too.

Here are some examples:

• Speeding up, even just a little, so the car on the freeway on-ramp cannot get in front of you.
• Changing lanes in front of someone when coming to a stop light so you are only behind two cars...instead of three.
• Nothing is ever your fault.  For example, when you get in a minor fender-bender, somehow it is always the other person's fault.
• Blaming someone else for something that you yourself do, like cussing the guy or gal at the convenience store for not moving his/her car after filling up with gas and then taking their sweet time shopping in the store, then at a later date leaving your own car at the pump while you take your sweet time in the store.  Another example could be honking at the vehicle in front of you for not noticing the traffic light turning green...even though you've done the same thing yourself, even if by accident, while thinking about work, kids, or anything else.
• Whining about the slob that peed all over the toilet seat at work, although there are times you didn't clean up similarly after yourself on more than one occasion.

The easiest method for ALL of us to make life better for ourselves and everyone else comes from a very long time ago - "put the shoe on the other foot".  It's even easier than it sounds; just think of what the other person would be doing/thinking/screaming if you were in their place and they were in yours.

When you speed up to make that car on the on-ramp get behind you, think about what you would be yelling at the person on the freeway that sped up to cut you off.  MAKE yourself be a little nicer, and slow down just a bit so that the person can merge easier, and hopefully they will remember your act and return it in kind to someone else.  Doing the "right thing" really can be contagious...think about it and I'd bet that you can even think of a time where you softened up a little after someone showed you a little courtesy.  I know I can.

Try a little experiment - attempt to catch yourself automatically getting annoyed and switching to your "pain-in-the-ass-just-like-everybody-else" mode, and then relax a little.  Take a few deep breaths, lay off the caffeine, whatever.

• Let the car next to you that is trying to get over to your lane change lanes in front of you...it really will not slow you up much more than maybe a few seconds.  Think of how it would make your day if just one person slowed up so you could change lanes without having to force your way over.
• Let the poor soul that only needs to purchase an item or two in front of you at the checkout line...even if you only have a few items yourself.
• Don't fight over that sweet parking spot...you know, the one that is a whole two or three spots closer to the door than all the rest.
• Act like the world doesn't belong to you...leave that public toilet seat the way you would want to find it; put something back where you found it at the store; say "please" and "thank you" more often; leave a slightly better tip than you usually would - a couple of dollars isn't much to you, but it sure makes your waiter/waitress's day a little brighter; hold the door for someone instead of racing to the entrance/exit so you won't have to hold the door; hold the elevator a few seconds more so the person running to get in won't have to wait a few minutes for the next car; actually try not to let your car door hit the vehicle next to yours; pick up that trash that missed the garbage can you threw it at and dispose of it properly; take a whole minute of your day to find a garbage can or ashtray instead of acting like you can throw your trash wherever you like (cigarette butts are litter too!); and so much more.
• If you happen to finish off the coffee pot or empty the water cooler at work, take the time to make a fresh pot or replace the water jug...you would really be surprised how far that little act of kindness can go.

It all boils down to rerouting your "normal" thoughts and actions to those that focus on other people, instead of just yourself.  This usually requires a conscious attitude correction, but usually results in just a few moments of your time to make someone else's day...which can make you feel better too.

Work on it.  Help a friend work on it.  If even just some of us can redirect our anger and impatience toward something more productive, the world will surely become a friendlier place.