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Friday, October 3, 2014

That's the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.

I have been known to be quite an empathetic (and often emotional) creature. Of course, sometimes this sucks. I could emphasize with week-old roadkill if I let myself. So maybe I'm feeling extra emotional lately...I don't know. But, sometimes a story that I read really strikes a chord with me and I can't shake off that icky feeling.

A good example of this is a viral video that I recently watched. It shows an autistic boy who thinks he is doing the ever popular "Ice Bucket Challenge". Instead, he gets a cruel surprise when the bucket being dumped on his head by his "friends" is filled with urine, feces, and saliva instead of ice water. I remember being horrified when I first read this story. How can I live in a world where people do this to other people? I felt so angry, sad, and disgusted. What would I have done if this boy had been my friend or family member? The anger I felt about what had happened to this virtual stranger was so fierce.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love fiercely. You can say whatever you want about me, but as soon as you talk about someone I love, we'll have a problem. I protect my niece and nephew like they are my own children. I'd like to think that one day I will have a family. But honestly, it scares the shit out of me thinking about bringing a human being into this world. I endlessly feel the need to protect my loved ones from all the bad things in our world. The logical part of me knows that that is impossible. There are always going to be good and bad people in the world. There are always going to be situations that you can't control. I just can't fathom seeing my (very, very, theoretical) children being hurt by these types of people. It makes me sick to think that people like this exist. And it just seems to be getting worse. With the internet and social media, it seems that people think they can do or say whatever they want without any repercussions. It's so disgusting to see the things that strangers say to other strangers. Do they not realize that a real person is on the other end of that message that they send? That someone's life could be affected by their words? Words can be so powerful.

I'm a strong believer in putting good in the world to get good out. I admit...sometimes it's hard for me, especially living in a big city. There are so many shitty people I run into on a weekly basis. Sometimes it makes it hard to want to be a nice person. Like the person who runs into you without giving you a second look...or that asshole who is making fun of a stranger on the street for how they look. Lately, I have had little faith in humanity. It makes me wonder what makes people the way they are. And even though there will always be shitty people trying to bring you down, I think it's important to try to stay positive and remember that there always will be good people out there. You just have to look for them.

Today I saw a girl wearing a shirt that read, "Don't Let Idiots Ruin Your Day" and it made me smile. Although it was a little silly, it was exactly what I needed to hear. I know I will probably never understand or be able to change those people who do horrible things, but I am always in charge of myself. I can control how I make others feel. It is simultaneously an amazing and scary sentiment. We as humans have so much power to affect others with our actions and words. Today and every day, I will try to use that power for good.