Apples and Oranges

I was in the supermarket yesterday and the line was long. Another cashier opened and said “I can help whoever is next” – a woman from the back of the line rushed forward and started loading her stuff on the counter. The person behind me was furious and started commenting out loud – to no one in particular – how she would never do something like that. She was so mad and just couldn’t let it go. She finally said something to the woman who supposedly cut the line and they both left the store mad. They probably carried that anger/disappointment around all day

We set ourselves up for disappointment when we expect everyone to act the way we would act in any given situation. People have their own unique perspectives, experiences and personalities – which all shape how they respond to different situations. They are not you. You can’t expect them to act as you would.

The supermarket incident didn’t affect me – it was 5 extra minutes out of my day. There have been times though, many of them, where I was disappointed because people didn’t act they way I wanted them to. You’re working on a project and the clock strikes 5pm and your coworkers leave…and there’s a mountain of work still left to do. You ask someone for help and they decline – after you have gone out of your way to help them time and time and time again. You wrack your brain trying to find the perfect gift for someone’s birthday – and they don’t even remember yours…not gonna lie, that shit hurts.

No one is perfect. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Try to refrain from judging others based on their actions or inactions. Try putting yourself in their shoes and try to understand their viewpoint and motivation. Everyone has reasons for the way they act – even if it’s different from yours.

Don’t expect you from other people. Apples can’t be oranges no matter how much you want them to but they are both fantastic. Once you realize that, you will me much better off, less disappointed and dare I even say it??? Happier??

#applesandoranges #you #disappointment #gohappyyourself