Friday, August 13, 2010

misery.

I'm tried of misery. Isn't it just everywhere you look these days? It sure feels that way to me. It's been happening for a while now, but lately it's dawned on me that it's a habit for people. When did this start becoming acceptable behavior? And who decided it felt good to make sure everyone else around you is miserable? What a silly idea. What a silly, terrible idea. Here's what I mean:

"I'm Engaged!"
misery-bringer: "Oh congratulations. Get ready for the worst time of your life."
"I got a job!"
misery-bringer: "Well kiss your free time goodbye."
"I'm pregnant!"
misery-bringer: "Your body will never be the same."
"Baby!"
misery-bringer: "You better get ready to never sleep ever again in your whole entire life ever. Never."

Now. The baby scenarios are strictly hypothetical. Don't go getting any ideas. But c'mon!!! Haven't you all heard those responses a million times? And doesn't it just feel like a kick in the knees? Facebook has probably been the biggest offender of these cases because people just say whatever they gosh darn please in that world, but I just don't understand.

What if that just never happened? What if every time someone announced that they were getting married everyone around them responded with, "How wonderful. If you ever feel like you're too stressed out give me a call, I'd love to chat!" Or a pregnancy. "We'll be so excited to watch and help this little guy grow!" Wouldn't that just empower people to be better? To go into these huge milestones knowing that even if it gets really hard it will be okay because the world is on their side? I'd even venture to guess that there would be more successful marriages. More healthy, well-rounded kids. And a whole heck of a lot more community in life.

I know that somewhere along the way someone decided that if everyone else felt their agony then they wouldn't feel so miserable. But if you ask me, we should know better by now. We should snap out of it and learn to be bigger than our small situations.

That was a rant. I know. But I just couldn't hold it in any longer. It's as much for me as anyone. I want to be better at looking someone in the eyes and making sure they know they're loved and supported. Seems like a much more productive habit than misery.

But you don't have to take my word for it.

2 comments:

Paul d.C. said...

sweet, i really enjoyed reading this =)

I guess people along the way of growing up just forgot or are afraid to be nice or to be supportive.

sometimes a simple smile can make all the difference and change the day.

Anonymous said...

well Claire, i will be taking your word for it. its like we can all just get stuck sometimes. i totally agree with you.
love ya girl!
kaitlin