I love people.
We are all small in the grand scheme.
No, really. I do love people.
I love all of the varied personalities that I encounter every day. Everyone has a back-story and they are all moving, intriguing, intense, light-hearted, loving, impactful. I love to listen to people’s stories. No matter how sad or dull or over the top a story might be, I want to listen. I’m fascinated by people of all ages, races, intellectual levels, regions, kids, no kids, whatever.
Of course, this wasn’t always the case. My motto in my teen years was, “I hate people.” And I truly did. I had zero respect for just about everyone that crossed my path. I had a horrible childhood and it jaded me for many years.
Man, look how far I’ve come.
Each person that I meet teaches me something new about myself. Maybe that’s the reason I’m so intrigued. I hear about peoples’ hardships and I feel them. I really feel a loss when I hear of another’s loss. It teaches me that I’m sensitive. I’m not dead inside.
My young friends remind me of my past and they keep me young. They also remind me of how happy I am to be where I am in life. People my age keep me grounded. They remind me that humans are all in this together. My fellow GenX’ers and I have had a very interesting era so far. Those older than me show me what is possible, and sometimes, what I shouldn’t do with my life.
Now, one thing I have to point out is that I don’t like all people. Even some little kids. Yes, I actually don’t like some children, but I find their nasty little dispositions intriguing. The people I don’t like teach me more about myself than those I do. They teach me tolerance and patience. They teach me how not to behave, how not to treat others. These are life lessons that I truly value.
We are strange creatures. Do you ever think about that? About how complex we are? About how we have eyes that see, lungs that breathe air, hands, feet, hair? It’s all weird. And our personalities are the most complex thing of all.
I find it much easier to strike up conversations with strangers here in the UK – perhaps it’s because my American accent is a conversation starter in itself – and I have had some of the most amazing discussions.
I’m with you, though – I don’t like all people. Those that annoy me, well, I try to steer a wide path around.
I’ve learned that steering clear is very important – and I’ve learned it the hard way!
“The people I don’t like teach me more about myself than those I do. ”
So true. These are the people who usually have traits that I despise in myself. It took me a long time to figure that one out — and to learn that it’s okay not to like everyone.
It really is okay not to like everyone. Mostly because not everyone will like you either. It’s very humbling, isn’t it?