These last few weeks I’ve had to move a little slower. Despite my extreme independence, I’ve had to let others do things I’d rather just do myself. While I have been blessed with amazing helpers, I have noticed some things as I’m forced to move slower. And honestly, it’s troubling.
I know I’ve written on a similar topic before, and Per and I have had this conversation multiple times. However, after the last month, I’m going to say it again: There is always someone listening.
What I mean is when you are mumbling under your breath about the slow person in front of you, that person can hear you. And if they are moving as fast as they are able at that time, it is just adding to their stress.
When you are complaining about the young cashier not moving fast enough as you wait in line, you have no idea if this is their first week of work or not. Maybe they are trying not to make a mistake because they have already been yelled at by a customer today. But your comments are being heard by that young cashier doing their best.
When you’re attending a local ballgame and you’re yelling from the stands at the players on the other team or the umpires, even if they are ignoring you, they can still hear you. More importantly, the kids also attending that event can hear you.
When I say someone can always hear you, it goes past the spoken word to the written word as well.
This week, a Marshall teen lost their life in a tragic accident. Before many details were released, people were commenting on the press release story. Those commenting questioned whether a 16-year-old should have been riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle. They made assumptions and accusations about the teenager, as well as the driver of the other vehicle.
Do you know who could see those comments? The friends and families of both drivers! The parents who are grieving the loss of their child. The other driver who is dealing with all the feelings that go with a tragic accident.
Someone is always listening. Per and I joked that maybe my headline this week should be “People Suck” because sometimes we do. Sometimes we would rather complain and make inappropriate comments because we don’t care to take in the fact that there are other people our attitudes and comments can affect.
Just this week, I was telling Natalie to be kinder. That some of the teenager’s “joking” isn’t joking, it’s mean. Yes, she is a teenager and they are a completely different species, but we often hear people complain that this younger generation isn’t caring enough, doesn’t have empathy.
The problem is, these are traits that are learned. And we are their teachers. They are always listening, even when we think they are not.
When we complain about the slow service, but never offer a compliment, they are listening. When we yell at sporting events words that should never be yelled at another person, they are listening. When we make comments online about a situation we weren’t involved in or know the true details about, they are listening with their eyes.
Teachers are not just limited to those within the school walls. Every single day, we are teaching the next generation how to be caring, empathetic, kind human beings through our own actions. Those lessons start at day one and they never stop.
So, do I think people suck? No. But do I think everyone can suck once in a while, absolutely. I am just as guilty as the next person.
However, we all need to stop and think about how we were raised. I like to remind myself, if I wouldn’t say it in front of my grandma, I shouldn’t say it at all. Do I still sometimes say things or think things? Yes. But if we all tried a little harder to be kinder and remember someone is always listening, we could make this world a better place.
And the next generation would be better people than we are.
