You know what drives me crazy? Don't answer that. I know the list is long.. Let me rephrase.. What is bothering me very much right now? Yes, that's better. Unappreciative people. Individuals who don't appreciate all the goodness they have in their life. I know that we are all human, and everyone, even the most selfless people at one point in time may take somethings for granted, but there is a limit. There is an extent to which it is acceptable to take certain things for granted, and when it borders on ignorant and selfish. My theory, is that these are people who don't have enough real problems in their life, have never been subject to any real hardship, or are incapable of empathy. They therefore can't handle the slightest little bump in their otherwise very good lives. However, I realize that this is also not their fault that they can't handle it, and isn't even a bad thing that they haven't had the experience in dealing with actual problems and situations. But it very much is their fault when they completely blow up and make a HUGE deal out of a very insignificant event. For example, having to share a room with one other person for 2 weeks. Having to sleep in bunk beds, in a room with a private bathroom, that normally costs 10x more, in one of the most beautiful places in Europe, while having this amazing experience and opportunity. For 2 weeks, while your normal suite of a room is occupied. No you're right, that is the end of the world. You should make a big deal about that. I mean, there are people every day and night that sleep on the street, go hungry day, that lose their fathers, mothers, siblings, or children to war and various tragedies, but no, you having to sleep in bunk beds, THAT is the real crisis. My bad. What was I thinking...
How do you take someone like that seriously? I'm literally asking. I know that this is particularly a touchy issue for me, so I am genuinely asking for some guidance anyone might have on this.
I've had that problem with people before too. Working at SWITCH and being up North here really puts things into perspective. We currently have one girl living with us as a foster child because she had been completely neglected by her parents. Then at the sleepover we planned for grade 3-5 girls, so many of the parents didn't bother to pick up their kids, likely because they had been up all night partying. Even a couple of girls told us about how they had lost a sibling to drugs and alcohol.
ReplyDeleteI find when people get so self involved, you really need to tell them how lucky they are. Remind them of a news story and try to be positive around them. If that doesn't work, no point trying unfortunately.