the unkindness of nonstrangers

I keep this Maya Angelou quote with me, at all times:

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

I find this to be profoundly true. People are harsh creatures.

Above my bed I keep this, by Eleanor Roosevelt:
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

I think that sometimes people who routinely try to be kind to others…perhaps they do know when they are not quite making it. Perhaps it bothers them afterward. But perhaps not. Maybe this only applies if they care about the person they’ve been unkind to. Is kindness disposable? Are people?

This week, as I freight train toward an unhappy anniversary, my thoughts and emotions have been in a turmoil. I’ve snapped for no reason, lost my temper on occasion, and been especially tender when those around me have been thoughtless or unkind.

How wonderful it would be if whenever you were having a bad day, or week, or fortnight…those around you would just “know” and be a tiny bit gentler.

But I guess you really wouldn’t grow much as a person, would you? (And I know. It’s a crying shame my first post after hiatus isn’t cheerier. But thoughtful posts have their place too.)

And Mr. X…a fruit basket for you.