I Can Make a Difference?

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When James Chartrand of Men with Pens tagged me to do something nice and then write about it, I thought he was crazy. Okay, I know James is perfectly sane. I’m the one who’s crazy. Because this challenge felt all wrong to me.

At first I thought I could just ignore the tag, pretend like I’d never noticed it. Dum de dum. La la la. But my competitive edge kicked in. I broke into a sweat trying come up with the nicest thing to do out of everyone who’d been tagged. And then, I started thinking of all the nice things I’d done for people in the past week or so, and thought maybe I should write one of those linkbait lists. You know, something like “The 11,000 Nice Things I Did for People This Week and How You Can Make a Difference Like I Do.”

Finally, I got all bent out of shape and left a not very well thought out comment for James.

I explained that this challenge didn’t feel right. Being nice isn’t something I put on my to do list and then blog about. It’s just the way I am. Helping people and being kind is a lifestyle, not an assignment.

James responded: “We’re all good people every day… The idea is creating effect.”

Well James, I don’t know what alternate universe you’re living in, but where I come from, we’re not all good people. Have you watched the news lately? Ever seen an episode of Law and Order (ripped from the headlines)? I mean, didn’t some psychotic bitch at your work ever go out of her way to make your life a living hell? Nobody bullied you on the playground? Stole your lunch money? Made fun of your mother?

I told you I was crazy.

Which is exactly why this post almost became a full blown rant about mean people and why they suck so bad that someone made them their very own bumper sticker back in the 90s. But there’s no point in ranting about mean people, because mean people don’t care. That’s why they’re so freakin’ mean. They don’t give a shit about me, or you, or even themselves.

I’m not only crazy. I am also over analytical, which is a fancy way of saying that sometimes I think too much.

Now that my brain has been to the far side of the galaxy and back, I get it. I really do. James is right. Most of us are essentially good people, but some folks need a reminder to be considerate or thoughtful. Others just need someone to say, hey, don’t rush through life. Slow down and let someone see your smile. Help an over analytical lady like me across the street. Leave a 100% tip. Call your mom and tell her you love her.

So here’s my tag for you. Pay it forward (see, told you I finally got it). Yes, just like in the movie. Let go of your ego and stop trying to be the first one through the door. Find out what happens when you hold that door open or let someone else get in front of you on the freeway. When the person behind you in line has two items and you’ve got two carts full, let them go ahead. If they drop one of those two items, pick it up and hand it back with a grin. Dish out compliments to everyone you meet. Make someone’s day.

Then come back here and tell me how damn good it feels.