One of the biggest problems I see around me is the self-centered-ness of people. People are incredibly rude, but it isn’t because they don’t care about other people, rather they are so self-centered that it doesn’t even occur to them that there are other people. Do any of the following signs describe you?
- When you’re at the grocery store and stop to look at items on the shelf, do you leave your shopping cart sitting right in the middle of the aisle, preventing anyone else from getting by?
- When you pull up at a red light, do you stop a car length or more back from the car in front of you instead of pulling up close so cars behind you have room?
- When you run into someone you know, do you stop dead in the middle of the sidewalk or right in front of a doorway instead of stepping aside out of other people’s way?
- When you pull into a center turn lane, do you leave the back end of your car sticking out in the lane of traffic blocking everyone else instead of pulling forward that extra 12 or 18 inches?
- Do you rush through a yellow light and end up sitting in the middle of the intersection blocking traffic instead of looking before you enter the intersection to be sure there is room for you to get out the other side?
- Do you go to the coffee shop and spread your books and papers out, taking up an entire table that should be able to seat 5 or 6 other people?
- Do you sit in the coffee shop or restaurant talking at the top of your voice, instead of keeping your voice down out of consideration for those around you?
- Do you wait until you get to the head of the line at McDonald’s or the coffee shop before you bother to look at the menu and think about what you want?
- When you’re done at the coffee shop, do you just get up and leave your mess on the table as if you expect your mother to come clean up behind you?
- Do you think the rules are stupid, just because they prevent you from doing what you want?
Look around you. There are other people here, and they are just as important as you. Stop acting like the universe revolves around you.
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At least in our culture, self-absorption and self-centeredness reign supreme like never before. The good news about becoming an adult is that it doesn’t really require any actual growing up. So don’t despair if you think you have to achieve some kind of enlightenment or super wisdom to be an adult. The bad news about becoming an adult is that it doesn’t really require any actual growing up. So despair if you would rather not become cynical about all the idiots around you who think that their happiness relies on making themselves the center of the universe.