We don’t realize it all the time, but other people are experiencing the same realities as you. They are living in the same society, dealing with the same economy and searching for some semblance of meaning, all while trying to survive in the same world as you. When you see someone else, you may not be able to realize it at the time, but they are feeling pain too: they have their worries, the things that give them anxiety and words that make them crumble.
It is easy to see a solid exterior shielding away others true emotions, but upon closer inspection, cracks can be seen. I am saying all this because it is true. Just because someone looks like they have their life put together does not mean they do. We are all trying to figure out where we fit in this world, one day at a time.
We, all too often, get so caught up in our own lives that we forget that we coexist with others. An understanding of what is really going on must be reached. When you are feeling pain, those closest to you are right there feeling it too.
Again, you are not alone in this world, just as you are not alone in how you feel. Those that have money, looks or a great social life seem the most likely candidates for having intact lives, but instead are often those that are feeling the most hurt. It is true that we should not judge a book by its cover because the content of the pages is where the story lies.
The moral of this story is: the next time you pass by, talk to or otherwise interact with another person, open your mind to the possibility that their life is just as complicated as yours. Meaning, when you are in a conversation with someone, know that you are communicating with another human being. Know that your words have impact and, moreover, consequences.
We all make mistakes from time to time when engaging with someone, whether it be taking a certain situation in the wrong context or saying the wrong word. It is important that we are conscious of the situation and aware of our environment, so that we can properly analyze what we did wrong. And once we realize what mistake we have committed, we must then atone for it and speak the powerful phrase of “I’m sorry.”
If, on the other hand, we don’t take accountability, then we place strain on the relationship of the individual we are interacting with. We also then allow for that negative behavior to be mentally excused, causing us to continue it and form a new bad habit.
Ensure that you take responsibility for all of your actions and that you work to correct those which are poor. By committing to doing this, you will become a better person, being more likable to others and living a happier life.
Look, it is not always easy to give someone the time of day, or to put up with things you find annoying, but we cannot fall victim to being so easily turned to anger. If you cannot handle a certain situation or person at the given time, take a step back.
Should you have a disagreement with someone, look for things you both enjoy and moments you can both relate to. If someone is short with you and yells at you for no reason, don’t argue back, just listen to what they say. They probably had a terrible day, and it is spilling back onto you. It may not be right, but it can be fixed through understanding what they have gone through.
I implore you to try and bridge the gap of misunderstanding, because when you see someone else, you must understand they are living their life just as you are living yours. They may not be as put together as they may seem, and in that we are similar.
Evan Brooks is a third-year Business Management major with minors in Economics and Civic and Professional Leadership. EB0916132@wcupa.edu