When has it become okay to
not be nice to other people? I watched a comedy yesterday, but instead of
laughing Tamika and I were left questioning why the three lead women were such
bitches. And this was meant to be funny?
I have been told to be nice since
I was a child. But what exactly does that mean for me as an adult?
"Nice" is such a vague term. My Grandmother was religious and we
once had a big in depth conversation about religion, and she said to me it does
not matter what religion you follow as long as you follow the Golden Rule:
Treat others the way you want to be treated. And respect them for who they are.
Another way of saying Do unto others.
But we, (well I am thinking of
women/girls in general) have become such bitches to each other. It has become
all too easy to tear someone down. Why else would those magazines with covers
that scream, “she is too fat”, “too thin”, “too much cellulite”, oh and “check
her out with out make-up” sell so well. The do unto others has become, do horrible and say horrible things to others.
What about a random
act of kindness? How could it change someone’s day? Tamika and I
decided to test this theory.
We were sitting in the food
court of our local shopping center and a surly looking girl was approaching us,
she looked angry, sad, like she was ready to punch someone. Her hair was a work
of art, turquoise blue that she had set into the most perfect victory rolls.
She was even dressed like someone from the 1940s. I walked up to her, she
stared me down, and I told her how beautiful her hair was.
At first she looked at me as
if I was crazy and said it was a mess. I disagreed with her and said it was lovely, then I smiled. Finally she smiled back and said she had taught
herself to do it watching You tube videos. I told her how impressed I was, as
an ex-hairdresser I know how much work it takes to get this look perfect. She
thanked me and walked away smiling.
I was left thinking how easy was that? To be nice. Plus I was left kicking myself for not asking her name or getting her photo.
Why is it so hard to be nice
to others? Also why is it so hard to accept a compliment? Basically this
ramblings in this post, is why can we just stop being bitches to ourselves and other
women?
Photos have nothing to do with this post. They are just some images I took of Tamika awhile ago and thought I would share them because she looks so beautiful.
Tamika looks so strong! My closest friend and I were talking about this today, it's hard to see how disconnected we can all be from others' feelings.
ReplyDeleteStubborn, definitely. Strong, I hope so! Were women/girls always this mean to themselves and others? Or has social media made it easier?
DeleteHi! Thanks for the comment on my blog, by the way! And kind of in keeping with my post and yours, kindness is a total big deal for me. It's one weapon I have to fight the inequities and injustices that are part of being humans in this world. Kindness is powerful.
ReplyDeleteI think too many people have forgotten to be kind/nice to each other and to themselves.
DeleteThis post inspired me so much! I have once written down several acts of kindness that I could do everyday. I have to find them!
ReplyDeleteI think even smiling at a stranger would be a start. Should find your list.
Deleteshe definitely looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I have always thought Tamika was/is beautiful
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