We all have them, don’t we? Those little things that just annoy the crud out of us. Here are a few of mine and what they have taught me (the hard way).
When it’s been a long day and traffic is ATLANTA rush hour wicked. Bumper to bumper with many, many of your fellow drivers conveying to others that they are #1. But, you let that guy over and he doesn’t give you a nod, a wave or even a glance. Nada – Nothing – Just took your kindness and ground it down into the greasy spot we see on 285 and Spaghetti Junction at 5:45pm on Thursday before a long weekend. That guy! He drives me nuts!!
You want to know what else drives me nuts? Thanks for asking…It drives me nuts when folks publicly criticize leaders in fields that they are unqualified to critique. I remember listening to the Monday morning quarterbacks that were terminally certain they knew more about coaching the Atlanta Falcons than Mike Smith. I know Mike Smith and I know his then Quarterbacks coach, Glenn Thomas. Really good men. Really good coaches. Let me say it again…REALLY GOOD MEN & REALLY GOOD COACHES. But hey, you played high school ball and “you know football.” Come on man! Aren’t you glad that they don’t have insurance salesman talk radio? Aren’t you glad that there is no such thing as IT Manager talk radio?
And for my last, This Drives Me Nuts whine for the day…It drives me nuts when you are in deep conversation, or sharing a meal, and the person you are talking/eating with continually reads and replies to the texts that are blowing their phone up. I’ll often say, “If you need to focus on that crisis, we can talk some other time, only to hear, “no no, I’m listening.” Really? I often want to say what my seventh grade algebra teacher said of my yo-yo…”one more time and it’s mine.” Step away from the phone!
I promised to offer what I’ve learned from these personal annoyances…so here you go.
In regards to the thankless driver: If the world placed a condition on all acts of kindness, this would be a hate-filled planet. It’s okay. If you are taken advantage of, left with that thankless stare, or just determined to never help anybody again…Take a breath and be kind again. The reward for being kind is rarely found in the person you extended that kindness to. Anybody can be a jerk. Why be anybody.
What about the public critic? Well, I’ve heard it said that if you let a monkey climb far enough up a flag pole, that monkey will show it’s hind parts to the world. Do I really need to add anything to that? YES! If you don’t really know the inside scoop or have first hand personal knowledge, just step out of the noise and offer to help somebody instead of finding a new way to climb the flag pole. As for my friends Mike Smith and Glenn Thomas? I’m their biggest fan and I’m pulling for Mike’s Tampa Bay Bucs and Glenn’s Temple Owls in a big way! Whew! I feel better already.
And finally, for the technology addicts out there. I think it’s okay to invite the people at your table to put the phones down. Even put them up. Not silenced, not just turned face down – OUT OF SIGHT & SOUND. And it’s okay to ask family, children, spouses and co-laborers to give you their best…not just a weak attempt at adding me (or you) to the list of multitasks being attempted so poorly in your presence.
WOW! I not only feel better, I feel like I just completed a three day cleanse…Okay, not really. But you know what I mean, don’t you?
I’d love to hear your annoyances. I actually just typed that and I really didn’t mean it.
Have the best Wednesday!