Oh yes, I am THE KING of.............funny/wierd experiences. I had a friend that heard there was a place where weird things happen frequently. He purposely went there just to see what would turn up. He left with nothing. Let me first say that if I would have gone, something weird would have happened. Second, lucky for me, I only have to go about my business in life and weird experiences just find me. I really like that they can be so integrated into my life, thus making me able to still get done all that I need to. The other day, I was talking with someone and sort of laughing about something. All of the sudden another person that I know came up to me and says something to the effect of: "It is really annoying how you are just laughing and smiling all the time like you are better than everyone." I thought that comment was a little forward, but I listened to what they were saying. I sincerely and seriously replied that "I do not in any way think that I am better than anyone. I really try to value everyone, and I am very sorry if I came off as rude, arrogant or cocky, that is the LAST kind of person I would want to be." I further explained that I just like to joke around with people, but I would feel awful if I hurt some one's feelings or made them feel like they were less. They replied, "that is not what I said! I never said you were arrogant or cocky I just think it is annoying that you are so happy all the time when everyone knows that your life sucks!" While many might find this person's comments offensive I am working with every muscle in my body to stifle my laughter. They continued, "I am not trying to be rude (too late), I am just saying that all you do is school, work, church, and take care of your kids and your divorced. It is not like you have all of this stuff and get to do all of these cool things, but you are always happy, it is just annoying, I mean do you even have friends, or a girlfriend?" I try to break the ice a little by smiling and laughing (perhaps not the best thing for this particular person) as I respond that "I have a few people I pay to be my friends, but as for a girlfriend, I don't have one because all girls think it is annoying when guys are too happy." They respond, "See, I am serious, and even with me saying all of this, you still just joke with a stupid grin on your face!" They went on to ask, "what is so great in your life for you to be happy about?" I told them that there are lots of things in my life to be happy about. I also told them that happiness in my opinion is more of a mindset than a destination. They sort of huffed and said, "well I am just not seeing what is so great about your life." At this point I stopped and I genuinely asked this person if they were having a bad day, and told them if they were I would be more than happy to help them in any way that I could. They responded "you could be less happy so that people who are not happy do not have to feel worse around you." I was sort of a mess of emotions at this point. I genuinely felt bad for this person and wanted to help them, yet I was dying inside from laughter at their ability to be so bold. It always kills me when someone sort of crosses that line of things you probably should not spout off to someone. We were way beyond crossing that line here. They sort of left it with, "I just don't see what is so great..." I once again decided to break the ice and get them to smile by saying (in my own laughing way), "tell you what, while you are right, I do indeed probably suck, there is no sense in both of us focusing on ways that I 'suck,' so I will just leave that to you, and I will focus on the ways I have been blessed, is it a deal?" Let's just say it didn't have the desired effect.........
Anyway, a day or so later they did apologize and even brought me a treat (although I did check to make sure they weren't just poisoning all the happy people), and stated that they were having a bad day that day. I told them I figured that was the case and that it was no big deal. I told them they could use me as a sounding board any time they were having a bad day, and if there was anything I could do to help, to let me know. In the end, even if they were right and nothing else were good, at least I have my crazy experiences. I should have pointed that out in my defense at the time............dang you hindsight!
The funniest part of this story is that I have been focusing really hard lately on truly seeing everyone around me as my brother. I have tried really hard to be sure that people would know that their name is safe in my presence and that I don't speak ill of them. Everyone faces challenges and who am I to judge some one's heart? It was just really funny and ironic to me, that as I have made this a goal, someone would come up to me and tell me how bad I suck for being happy...........
the first FIVE years
