INTRO

Introductions:
My Name is Matthew, and I am a soldier. I have an interesting view that I share from time to time with the folks I encounter as I walk the road. Some of those people have encouraged me to seek out ways to help others or simply share my views or ideas with more people. I will blog on many subjects, from things that piss me off on a daily basis to more important issues such as dealing with chronic depression and the struggles that ensue as a result. I will be taking bits and pieces from emails and rants that I have verbalized as well, so if you see something we have talked about please, smile and nod...Thanks for reading.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Clear the Air


Sometimes, people are nasty. Sometimes people are rude, callous, crazy, insensitive, and downright frigging MEAN. Sometimes people are as benevolent as can be.

I don't know you. I don't know what your life has been like or what you have been through. You don't know me either. You don't have a clue who I am or what I am capable of.
Now that we got that out of the way, we can talk.

When I'm rushing to work in the morning, trying to juggle the 3 or 4 things on my mind along with my coffee, oatmeal, and vapor ( I quit smoking evil tobacco stinkers) I may cut someone off on the road. It's not meant to be mean or rude. I'm not TRYING to cause an accident or hurt someones feelings. When I'm in line at the supermarket and I have a basket with three things and I see someone heading for the same line as me with a cart full of groceries, I may rush to get there first. I'm not shy of admitting it. I'm not trying to be rude or nasty.

Although, when I'm thinking about the day that I have had, and how I just want to get home so I can take off my boots and have a hot shower. When I am in the car contemplating my day, and someone cuts me off, sometimes I'm glad I cant be heard outside my vehicle. When I have a cart full of groceries, and a family at home, hungry for food and some (insert nasty name calling here) cuts in front of me with two items OBVIOUSLY in no rush, I want to harm them.

The point in both of these situations is, it depends on where you stand as to weather or not you feel angry or justified in your rage. Some people just never do such things. Most of us are human beings and sometimes we affect others without thinking about it.

Now, for the fix. Follow me here, it gets good.

If you wake up, in the morning or late at night because you have to work the night shift. When you wake up, thank God for the breath in your lungs. Thank God that you can open your eyes, thank God that when you do, you can see. Then, pretend that everyone, EVERY LAST PERSON YOU MEET has just found out that the love of their life is dying and there isn't a thing they can do about it. Pretend, as you drive, that everyone on the road is in some exuberant hurry to get to the hospital to be there for the last moments of that person they love the most life. As you stand in line, at the store, the person in front of you is buying flowers for a casket or a head stone. I'm not fixated on death mind you, that's just the most dramatic example I can think of.

You see, if we treat others as if they are going through some huge trauma, maybe we will think before we speak, cut the car off, jump in line, or shout obscenities. Maybe we will take a moment and be nice to the person who just slammed the door in our face, maybe they were preoccupied and didn't mean it at all. What if you say nothing and simply open the door and walk in unharmed? What does it cost you not to be angry at someone who may or may not realize they just offended you? For that matter, what pain does it bring you to NOT be angry at someone actively harming you? You can stop that person from doing you more harm of course and you should. The point is, why get mad?

I HATE when people act out against others for the sheer joy of it. When someone is a "Bully" in any sense of the word. I hate it, it pisses me off, it makes me angry it makes me see red I want to KILL!!! Wait, aren't I just as bad as that person? Someone is being a bully to me, so I get mad and strike back. Evil begets evil, or so it is written. How about, someone is striking me, why? The person you are being attacked by obviously thinks that they have a reason or right to do so. Why not ask what that is? Why not find out why they are being mean or rude? Why not ask questions before loading bullets? After you have the answer, no, don't load your bullets, after you have your answer, pray for that person, or wish them well. Chances are, they are just as miserable as they are attempting to make you.

"But Matthew, when do we get to load the bullets??"

When someone threatens me, my family, or my home, with lethal or potentially lethal force, I will respond in kind. That is the only time I will. I will use violence only as a last resort to defend my Family and my Home. I will do that because I believe that as a Man, that is my duty, privilege, and obligation.

I wish you all the best.