Indeed. Most people are considerate and the few that are not are often deluded and in a particularly bad way. Question - If the gentlemen had told you to fuck off when you asked them to turn down their music would you have returned with a crowbar?
I agree, Db, most people are considerate, most of the time. The ones that are not can definitely spoil your day, to say the least. Great post by Rob and one to keep in mind next time I encounter someone being a jerk. As for the boom boxers, what makes you think Rob didn't already have a crowbar on his first approach, lol?
Hahaha! Maybe he did but I doubt it as he made no mention. Crowbar is usually second base. I only ask because I feel that putting some justice back into the community would solve a few things. If a kid gets on a train with his music blaring I want to see my countrymen have words, not one or two or three, I would like to see 15 strapping men stand up immediately to confront the kid. We can make society better if we tolerate less bullshit. It wont fix everything but it would go aways. I see a profound cowardice in Aussies these daze.
Hear hear! Yes. I agree. I often use my experience in Ireland in 2019... Large crowd in Dublin with many Irish "men" around... lovely lady starts yelling, "he stole my cell phone right out of my hand, please help me!" She is pointing in the direction this miscreant is running and NOT ONE man stuck out his foot to trip this monster burglar (I was too far away or I *would* have). I shook my head and went up and asked the lady if she was okay and she said she was, but that the guy stole her phone while it was unlocked and all of her financial, etc was on it. I told her I was ashamed that no one helped stop the guy. (My ancestry is Irish on my Mom's side). There was a time when someone doing something like that in Ireland would have been immediately tackled to the ground and... dealt with.
Reminds me of a story. I have a good Irish friend, John, who grew up in Dublin. He's around 62 yrs old now, and has been living in the US since around '95. He still has the accent and the heart of a true, blue collar Dubliner. One evening several years ago he was in a local pub having a few beers and got into a friendly chat with a big man sitting next to him at the bar, which was separated from the main dining area by a set of swinging ''cowboy'' doors, saloon style. The subject turned to the events of 9/11/2001. John loves America, to be clear, and he's also a '' conspiracy theorist '' who does his homework. Bear in mind, John's a very skinny, very muscular man around 5'11'' and maybe 150 lbs with his work boots on....the kind of guy we always referred to as ''a wiry fuck.'' He is also fearless. ( Also, rides his crotch rockets like he's on the Isle of Mann, lol. )The other guy was 6'4''-6'5'' and 240-250, big farmer type. So, John's explaining to the guy that, basically, 9/11 was an inside job and the guy disagreed. As John was spewing fact after fact and explaining various anomalies that laid waste to the ''official story,'' the guy was getting more and more pissed off because ''our gov't would never do that!'' etc etc. Things started getting heated, and the guy's calling John a fucking Irish prick, go back to Ireland if you hate this country, blah blah. John's keeping cool, while seeing the handwriting on the wall. They both stand up, face-to-face, and the big guy, towering over John, starts to wind-up. John immediately head butts the dude in the face, breaking, and bloodying, the aggressor's nose and then body rushes him, launching the 2 of them through the swinging doors and into the dining room! There they rolled around on the floor, exchanging blows, until they were exhausted enough to be separated by bar employees and patrons. I found out about the incident the next day, when John came into work all bruised up, a couple of mangled fingers and a big smile on his face as he answered my question, '' What the fuck happened to you!!??'' and ''How'd you get that slash on your forehead?'' He said, ''You should have seen the other bloke!'' Then proceeded to give me the whole details, play-by-play , in his inimitable, animated and ''lengthy'' Dubliner style. ( I later learned from shocked witnesses that it happened exactly as John described.) The point of the story...John has returned to Dublin to visit family and friends many times since '95, but not in the last few years because he laments the way that place has changed so drastically. You can rest assured, that in the ''old days,'' that thief that Rob told of would have never made it to the door!
That is a *perfect* example of what I'm talking about Anna. I struggle with that as well. But, seriously, many of them are just not thinking about anyone but themselves on the road. They are caught up in their own world not even thinking about how their actions are affecting others. Sigh. You brought up a tough one here! lol. Thanks for stopping by. :)
I enjoy your writing because it always makes me think and reflect on how to live a better life. I too struggle with forgiveness, and probably much more so than you, so it is good to read encouraging words and to be challenged to do better.
I can easily forgive those do (forgivable) things without realizing at the time their error. It is much harder, and maybe not warranted, when they know better and still don't care.
I am no theologian but I think Jesus was able to forgive his tormentors because he was put on this earth for that very reason.
I'll take your challenge, and do my best to forgive "their transgressions", but I will forgive myself for my imperfections too.
Thanks John! Yeah, it was neat the way this all came to be for me. It was very difficult for me to actually write about it because what I understand for myself is difficult to put into words. (I think you know what I mean there). I was taken aback when I realize that I've been a very forgiving person my whole life... but only to those who I knew personally. I realized that strangers deserve forgiveness as well. That by me just fuming under my breath that all of these people are just pieces of garbage was not providing them the same mercy I have experienced in my own life. Sure, Christ was put here for forgiveness... but he also set an example of what we are supposed to be. Even in the Lord's Prayer (just one example) it says, "...and forgive us our debts, *as we forgive our debtors*" It doesn't specify who those debtors are. My understanding (now anyway) is it could be anyone. Don't know if that makes sense. Thanks again for reading John! :)
I think we're ALL put on Earth to do what Jesus did. Maybe not to be killed for it, but... maybe so! We don't really know all the Deep Mysteries, do we? But Jesus was a GUIDE. We can all do the same. It's figuring out our own personal way to do so. That's what I think, anyway.
You're welcome, Rob! I agree with John about your writing, and I'll add that I appreciate your blue collar perspectives and style. I'll be here as long as you are, unless a greater, divine power decides otherwise.
What an interesting and thoughtful post, and I'd expect no less from you, Rob D!
I often struggle with this kind of thing, too. Sorry I got here so late... I get too much email...
As someone who feels a bit differently in how I get there, although it has everything to do with my connection to The Divine, it's definitely worth the effort to disentangle myself from a lot of negativity. And while I don't necessarily "forgive" people in the sense that I think it's "okay" now, I simply give the question of someone else's status, as it were, to The Div, as I feel it's not my place to judge someone else's worthiness as a Human Being. It IS, however, perfectly within my purview, I believe, to judge their BEHAVIOR as reasonable or not. ;)
I was raised Christian, and I include much of the teachings of Jesus into my thinking, but not all; that said, I remember there is one place somewhere, where someone asks whether someone should be forgiven if the trespasser continues the behavior... something like that. And the response was, something like, if they ask for forgiveness 7 times or 777 times, forgive them every time. THEY ARE ASKING for forgiveness. Well, that makes it a LOT easier!!! LOL
But I feel like keeping resentment, anger, hatred, etc in one's heart is not healthy for us. It's better to "let it go." So I try to do that, and I don't ask for anything, for them or for myself, I simply give it into the Creator's hands (I'm not a deist, hence my words.). If I give it up to The Power (the TRUE Power) That Be, then I can assume that will be all I need to do, and I am not letting it eat me up.
That said, I think there is a need for standing one's ground, and refusing to be abused or treated badly, shabbily, and we would do well to work on how to speak up for ourselves (or just make it clear, as with the loud music) and be able to communicate effectively, but not disrespectfully, that certain things are NOT okay. And sometimes we have to be outright RUDE, lol, to get the point across. I feel sorry for our younger folks, some of them, as they have been raised in an atmosphere of the Nasties' meddling, not only in a terrible educational system, but also in a terrible narcissism factory, and simply don't KNOW how to behave as we were taught. We can teach them, but only if we are willing to do it in such a way that isn't negative or threatening. Because They. Don't. Get It.
I'm imagining: "You are a beautiful gem, shining in the Universe, and there are Good Manners, among other handy tools, that will take you where you want to go.... Learn them!" ^_^
Sometimes it seems like resentment impacts our thoughts and well-being before we even realize it is going on. Good on you to recognize this and provide this reminder to others to be on guard mentally.
Very good post Rob! I have been trying very hard the last few years to be a more forgiving person. The Bible says that God will not forgive us if we don't forgive others. We should all strive to be more forgiving.
Think of it this way: You punish yourself by holding onto negative energy! This is why I think of it as giving it to the Creator, like being angry at a sibling, let Mom/Dad deal with 'em! ;)
Indeed. Most people are considerate and the few that are not are often deluded and in a particularly bad way. Question - If the gentlemen had told you to fuck off when you asked them to turn down their music would you have returned with a crowbar?
Haha. Probably not. But I live in an open-carry state so I may have returned openly packing heat.
I agree, Db, most people are considerate, most of the time. The ones that are not can definitely spoil your day, to say the least. Great post by Rob and one to keep in mind next time I encounter someone being a jerk. As for the boom boxers, what makes you think Rob didn't already have a crowbar on his first approach, lol?
Hahaha! Maybe he did but I doubt it as he made no mention. Crowbar is usually second base. I only ask because I feel that putting some justice back into the community would solve a few things. If a kid gets on a train with his music blaring I want to see my countrymen have words, not one or two or three, I would like to see 15 strapping men stand up immediately to confront the kid. We can make society better if we tolerate less bullshit. It wont fix everything but it would go aways. I see a profound cowardice in Aussies these daze.
Hear hear! Yes. I agree. I often use my experience in Ireland in 2019... Large crowd in Dublin with many Irish "men" around... lovely lady starts yelling, "he stole my cell phone right out of my hand, please help me!" She is pointing in the direction this miscreant is running and NOT ONE man stuck out his foot to trip this monster burglar (I was too far away or I *would* have). I shook my head and went up and asked the lady if she was okay and she said she was, but that the guy stole her phone while it was unlocked and all of her financial, etc was on it. I told her I was ashamed that no one helped stop the guy. (My ancestry is Irish on my Mom's side). There was a time when someone doing something like that in Ireland would have been immediately tackled to the ground and... dealt with.
Reminds me of a story. I have a good Irish friend, John, who grew up in Dublin. He's around 62 yrs old now, and has been living in the US since around '95. He still has the accent and the heart of a true, blue collar Dubliner. One evening several years ago he was in a local pub having a few beers and got into a friendly chat with a big man sitting next to him at the bar, which was separated from the main dining area by a set of swinging ''cowboy'' doors, saloon style. The subject turned to the events of 9/11/2001. John loves America, to be clear, and he's also a '' conspiracy theorist '' who does his homework. Bear in mind, John's a very skinny, very muscular man around 5'11'' and maybe 150 lbs with his work boots on....the kind of guy we always referred to as ''a wiry fuck.'' He is also fearless. ( Also, rides his crotch rockets like he's on the Isle of Mann, lol. )The other guy was 6'4''-6'5'' and 240-250, big farmer type. So, John's explaining to the guy that, basically, 9/11 was an inside job and the guy disagreed. As John was spewing fact after fact and explaining various anomalies that laid waste to the ''official story,'' the guy was getting more and more pissed off because ''our gov't would never do that!'' etc etc. Things started getting heated, and the guy's calling John a fucking Irish prick, go back to Ireland if you hate this country, blah blah. John's keeping cool, while seeing the handwriting on the wall. They both stand up, face-to-face, and the big guy, towering over John, starts to wind-up. John immediately head butts the dude in the face, breaking, and bloodying, the aggressor's nose and then body rushes him, launching the 2 of them through the swinging doors and into the dining room! There they rolled around on the floor, exchanging blows, until they were exhausted enough to be separated by bar employees and patrons. I found out about the incident the next day, when John came into work all bruised up, a couple of mangled fingers and a big smile on his face as he answered my question, '' What the fuck happened to you!!??'' and ''How'd you get that slash on your forehead?'' He said, ''You should have seen the other bloke!'' Then proceeded to give me the whole details, play-by-play , in his inimitable, animated and ''lengthy'' Dubliner style. ( I later learned from shocked witnesses that it happened exactly as John described.) The point of the story...John has returned to Dublin to visit family and friends many times since '95, but not in the last few years because he laments the way that place has changed so drastically. You can rest assured, that in the ''old days,'' that thief that Rob told of would have never made it to the door!
I'm surprised, too. smh Too bad.
I’ll have to remember this the next time that I’m driving!😆
That is a *perfect* example of what I'm talking about Anna. I struggle with that as well. But, seriously, many of them are just not thinking about anyone but themselves on the road. They are caught up in their own world not even thinking about how their actions are affecting others. Sigh. You brought up a tough one here! lol. Thanks for stopping by. :)
I enjoy your writing because it always makes me think and reflect on how to live a better life. I too struggle with forgiveness, and probably much more so than you, so it is good to read encouraging words and to be challenged to do better.
I can easily forgive those do (forgivable) things without realizing at the time their error. It is much harder, and maybe not warranted, when they know better and still don't care.
I am no theologian but I think Jesus was able to forgive his tormentors because he was put on this earth for that very reason.
I'll take your challenge, and do my best to forgive "their transgressions", but I will forgive myself for my imperfections too.
Thanks John! Yeah, it was neat the way this all came to be for me. It was very difficult for me to actually write about it because what I understand for myself is difficult to put into words. (I think you know what I mean there). I was taken aback when I realize that I've been a very forgiving person my whole life... but only to those who I knew personally. I realized that strangers deserve forgiveness as well. That by me just fuming under my breath that all of these people are just pieces of garbage was not providing them the same mercy I have experienced in my own life. Sure, Christ was put here for forgiveness... but he also set an example of what we are supposed to be. Even in the Lord's Prayer (just one example) it says, "...and forgive us our debts, *as we forgive our debtors*" It doesn't specify who those debtors are. My understanding (now anyway) is it could be anyone. Don't know if that makes sense. Thanks again for reading John! :)
Remember, there are different translations of the Bible...
"Debt" in one translation is "trespass" in another. ;) Cheers, this is a great post and comments, too.
I think we're ALL put on Earth to do what Jesus did. Maybe not to be killed for it, but... maybe so! We don't really know all the Deep Mysteries, do we? But Jesus was a GUIDE. We can all do the same. It's figuring out our own personal way to do so. That's what I think, anyway.
''Let's get ready to Rumble!'' Great post, Rob, and nice to hear from you!! All the Best!
Haha! Thanks serafino bueti! It's been a long time. Glad you didn't unsubscribe. ;-)
You're welcome, Rob! I agree with John about your writing, and I'll add that I appreciate your blue collar perspectives and style. I'll be here as long as you are, unless a greater, divine power decides otherwise.
What an interesting and thoughtful post, and I'd expect no less from you, Rob D!
I often struggle with this kind of thing, too. Sorry I got here so late... I get too much email...
As someone who feels a bit differently in how I get there, although it has everything to do with my connection to The Divine, it's definitely worth the effort to disentangle myself from a lot of negativity. And while I don't necessarily "forgive" people in the sense that I think it's "okay" now, I simply give the question of someone else's status, as it were, to The Div, as I feel it's not my place to judge someone else's worthiness as a Human Being. It IS, however, perfectly within my purview, I believe, to judge their BEHAVIOR as reasonable or not. ;)
I was raised Christian, and I include much of the teachings of Jesus into my thinking, but not all; that said, I remember there is one place somewhere, where someone asks whether someone should be forgiven if the trespasser continues the behavior... something like that. And the response was, something like, if they ask for forgiveness 7 times or 777 times, forgive them every time. THEY ARE ASKING for forgiveness. Well, that makes it a LOT easier!!! LOL
But I feel like keeping resentment, anger, hatred, etc in one's heart is not healthy for us. It's better to "let it go." So I try to do that, and I don't ask for anything, for them or for myself, I simply give it into the Creator's hands (I'm not a deist, hence my words.). If I give it up to The Power (the TRUE Power) That Be, then I can assume that will be all I need to do, and I am not letting it eat me up.
That said, I think there is a need for standing one's ground, and refusing to be abused or treated badly, shabbily, and we would do well to work on how to speak up for ourselves (or just make it clear, as with the loud music) and be able to communicate effectively, but not disrespectfully, that certain things are NOT okay. And sometimes we have to be outright RUDE, lol, to get the point across. I feel sorry for our younger folks, some of them, as they have been raised in an atmosphere of the Nasties' meddling, not only in a terrible educational system, but also in a terrible narcissism factory, and simply don't KNOW how to behave as we were taught. We can teach them, but only if we are willing to do it in such a way that isn't negative or threatening. Because They. Don't. Get It.
I'm imagining: "You are a beautiful gem, shining in the Universe, and there are Good Manners, among other handy tools, that will take you where you want to go.... Learn them!" ^_^
We're on the same page in many ways. :) Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
Thanks, Rob D, too, for the post. We’re OLD friends, now, y’know. ;)
Very old. Haha.
heeheeheehee We’re GOLDEN. ;)
Sometimes it seems like resentment impacts our thoughts and well-being before we even realize it is going on. Good on you to recognize this and provide this reminder to others to be on guard mentally.
Very good post Rob! I have been trying very hard the last few years to be a more forgiving person. The Bible says that God will not forgive us if we don't forgive others. We should all strive to be more forgiving.
Agreed. My problem is I was only forgiving people I know. It's forgiving strangers where I have a problem! Haha.
Think of it this way: You punish yourself by holding onto negative energy! This is why I think of it as giving it to the Creator, like being angry at a sibling, let Mom/Dad deal with 'em! ;)