We live in a world of negative media and it is really easy to let said media to affect our moods and our lives because it is everywhere. There is always something negative that we forget the people are good. MOST people are good. There are more good people in this world than are bad, though these days it does not seem like it. I have been guilty of think of the world and its people as bad. I used to think that most people are out to get others, etc. BUT since I moved to the South I have found that MOST people are good. For example, I went to the grocery store the other day and I was about to put my cart back in the cart return and this lady said "I'll put your cart back, I'm going that way." That small act made my day. People in Jersey don't even put the carts back let alone putting away someone elses.
Now, now I know that people are kind all over, but I have found generosity and kindness more frequent in the South. One of my theories is that us Yankees are so busy and in a rush all the time. Life there is so fast paced, peoples focus is getting what they need to get done well...done. It sounds productive, but I come from working 50 hours a week, plus was in school full time and I was miserable. I was miserable because all I did was work, school and sleep. I didn't have time for myself, let alone for other people and I would get mad if someone bothered me. I mean I would hold doors for people, and I only told a few people to Fuck off, but I am different here. Everything is slower. People talk slower, drive slower, etc which gives them time to stop and smell the roses and participate in things that count. I also think that people are less off putting here so people are not afraid to extend a hand because who wants to try to help someone and be completely shot down. It hurts.
Today, I doing laundry and I paid for a ladies machine. At first I was hesitant because I didn't know how she would take it. Would she think that I thought she couldn't pay for it? Would she think that I wanted something from her? I know how ridiculous it sounds but if you are from where I am from those questions make sense. It took me a second, but I went on and left the laundry room. She did not speak good English, but her young daughter was there and explained what I had done. She caught me outside, shook my hand. That made me feel so good. It made me feel good because I wanted nothing in return. I just had hope that it made her day a little brighter. I was happy because I had the opportunity to return the act of kindness that the shopping cart lady showed me. And you want to know something. It was painless and took a whole 3 seconds.
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