If we could just take a minute...

You know, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately (I know, scary huh). Anyway, if we all just took a minute before we react/respond to someone or something that might not be going the way we think it should and consider that the other person might be going through something bad or difficult that is causing them to do what we consider bad behavior or rude, wouldn't this world be a better place? There isn't just one specific incident that got me to thinking. It was the world and human nature in general. For instance, next time someone cuts you off in traffic, rather than having road rage, why not consider that they may have been given some bad news or be worried about a loved one and they were a little distracted and didn't even realize you were that close and if they could they would most likely try to apologize. Or, the next time you are in a department store shopping and the clerk is less than friendly, why not ask yourself if it could be that she is fighting cancer and is really tired, but has to continue working anyway to pay her bills. Or, if someone does or says something you feel is rude or mean, maybe they just lost someone they loved or were close to and they are still working through grief and didn't even realize how they came across.
I'm pretty sure that since the loss of my baby boy that I have been lost in thought from time to time and have been either rude, less caring, or heaven forbid even cut someone off or driven too slow in the fast lane and irritated someone. It certainly wasn't because I was intentionally trying to be ugly, but rather just caught up in my own sadness to pay attention. I have to believe in almost all cases where some of these instances happen there is some of that going on. I know, I am an eternal optimist, but I truly mean it. I don't ever want anyone to think I am uncaring or rude, but I am sure some of my actions from time to time come across that way. I'm trying really hard not to grieve publicly and certainly trying not to grieve 24/7, but there are definitely times that I am certain that I have been lost in my thoughts of Chad and came across as just that. I guess I am trying to give a different perspective on life and human nature as it is. If we could always remember that there is always someone out there that might have it harder or worse than we do. Yes, it is hard to get worse than losing a child (especially your only child), but can you imagine losing all your children and your spouse at the same time? I know people that lived that nightmare. My "Bestie" is fighting stage 3 breast cancer at 34 years old and has a husband and two young boys. My sister lost a child at 8 years old to cancer. My best friend lost her mother to cancer and her husband lost his only son in a car accident. Another friend lost her daddy suddenly one night. I lost my only son in combat fighting a war that at times feels like it is for not, because that's all that country has ever done is fight. My brother is going through a very dark time in his life right now and not even sure which way to turn at the moment. My parents have lost their parents and one set had to bury a child and 2 grandchildren. There is a Sgt in the Army at Fort Hood that was wounded in the shooting there and is in a wheelchair and was engaged at the time of the shooting. See, there are people in this world that do have it worse than others and while that shouldn't excuse bad behavior on a regular basis, I do believe that from time to time we have to try and understand that maybe the person we think is being rude or disrespectful is not just out to piss us off, but maybe they just really are having a hard time in life and just needs someone to overlook a bad choice they made at that moment. I know, there are some people out there that no matter what kind of life they have they are just bound to be ugly to others and are purposely rude. I get that. I just have to believe that for the most part people are genuinely good. I would like to see the world as we know it to just stop and take a moment to consider what might be at the root of some one's behavior before we react. If we did that, I believe we would be responding rather than reacting and this world would be a better place. Just take a minute...