What’s Inside Us?

No doubt about it! Years of experiences, relationships, and interactions contribute to form a person’s perspective on life. Every day we see people who are upbeat and happy while others are negative, down in the dumps, or just plain mean.

When I walk my dogs every day, I see numerous people over and over again. Though I don’t know all of their names, each has become familiar, and each bears a different demeanor. Gloria, for example, is a woman whose garden is the envy of the neighborhood. She’s never without a smile and a happy greeting. “Hi there! Haven’t seen you for a while! Beautiful day, isn’t it?” Megan, the dog walker, knows everyone, is friendly, and always has a word or two. “Have a great walk!” she often says. On some days I see an old, wrinkled fellow sauntering slowly down the sidewalk alone. Although he does not speak much English, he always waves at us and mumbles a greeting that though hard to understand, is genuine. Joyce is always outside. “Oh, hi!” she calls with a toothless grin. The mail carriers are usually smiling and congenial, sometimes giving doggie treats to the dogs. That makes everyone happy. Myriad couples stride along the path with or without a pup beside them; invariably they wave and greet us, “Good morning. Great day, isn’t it?”

On the other hand, the solemn, skinny, curly-haired, blond has never once smiled or said hello. I have to wonder why. Is she sad? The grouchy woman with her dog always off-leash has never looked our way unless it is to call off her mongrel mutt when he’s charging us! “Baxter, get over here!” she snarls. A grumpy guy who lives on a cul-de-sac by the creek has three equally hostile hounds. The man can’t control them or his anger. I’ve never heard a positive word directed to his dogs or anyone else. And why is that? Is he ill or in pain?

I imagine most of us enjoy being around positive people; the negative ones can zap anyone’s energy. Should we be tolerant, however? It’s easy to say that some folks need an attitude adjustment but it may not be that easy. What one carries inside may have been festering for a long while and that can make all the difference.