compassion

the illness i had is STILL going around my office - and beyond.
(even poor homestarrunner is sick!)

and now, there's also a drama-bug going around, too. jobs getting wonky, friends fighting, family feuds, relationship drama (thankfully not mine), you name it...

sometimes i think it's too bad we can't really take a chill pill, you know? why does it have to be just an expression?

the funny thing is, all the drama is happening around me, but i seem to be safe so far - knock on wood. it's like i'm the eye of a hurricane and everything else in close proximity is very stormy, and picking up strength.

(quite frankly, i'm sick of hurricanes.)

here's the thing. all of the above drama - and i mean ALL of it - could have been avoided/remedied/lessened if the parties involved could learn how to effectively communicate. and i don't mean via: gossip, arguing, selfishness, inappropriate emails, or sneaking behind backs - all of which were involved in at least one of the above scenarios.

i mean honesty. being open:
- talking to your boss when things aren't good.
- calling your friends or family members instead of jumping to wrong conclusions.
- stop making your ex feel guilty for getting on with their lives.
- giving more, taking less.
- helping others be happier, rather than adding to their misery.
- asking questions when you don't understand how someone feels.
- thinking before we talk (or email)
- putting our egos aside to help cheer up a friend.

because really, are we in grade school still?
i mean, the last i checked we were all adults.
please don't tell me i was mistaken...

i'd really like to see the storms pass and the illnesses fade, but i think it's going to take a serious amount of compassion. there are a lot of upset and hurt people in my life and when i look at it all from my calm little center, it seems rather trite. and that's not to belittle the scenarios - or to trivialize people's feelings. i'm only trying to express that things don't have to be so bad. closure can happen if we first open up - open communication, open minds, and open hearts.

one step back, two steps forward.