I wanna be like Lydia

Just when I think I'm over the past, something sneaks up and lays me flat.
(Hey. That sounds like a verse for a song....nice.)

The good news is that I'm much quicker to recover now then I used to be. I attribute this to my daily devotions and time spent with God.

The message given at church this week was about Lydia. (Acts 16). That woman was amazing. She was a worshipper of God. I wonder how she initially found her faith, as the disciples didn't really need to do much convincing when it came time to baptize her and her entire household. She was gung-ho and had no reservations about the entire process.

If people like Lydia can overcome social mores, class distinctions, and gender role challenges to become a successful businesswoman and home owner, then I can handle these little jabs at my peace of mind.

While the world will no doubt throw more arrows of discord and malice, I find myself bolstered by the examples set forth in the Bible. Women who loved God. Overcame sin. Overcame Shame. Became close and intimate friends of the Christ.

I am not afraid.

The Importance of being Amiable

You can catch more flies with honey.

Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.

Treat others as you would like to be treated.

It's really not hard to just be nice. At least, most of the time. Being polite and conscious of the feelings of the person you are speaking to is pretty much a given right? 

Yet, each day I come into contact with the I'm-impolite-and-I'm-not-gonna-even-pretend individual.  (Sometimes that person is me)

Aside from a temporary grumpiness that happens to everyone(RE: me), the perpetual patronizing attitude is a definite poison to any working or social environment. Not to mention the effect on the people surrounding said attitude.

This is just how I am, if you don't like it then TOO BAD.

I'm a very confident person, I make no excuses for my life, and I plan on reminding you every chance I get.

Since I'm the one in charge, I can act any way I like. Shake your hand?... Yeah right. 

Say Good Morning?....not gonna happen.

When faced with this attitude, how do you react? 

Return fire? Hang your head and slink away? Take it like a trooper, then go and gossip about the person later? Confront the rude behavior? Un-friend them? Pray for them? Let it slide, since you're only in contact with this person a few times a week/month/year?

If the cashier at Van Maur acts this way, do you call and complain to the manager?  Who is the manager of the person who treats YOU like crap-on-a-stick? Who can you complain to?

I'm not suggesting an answer to any one question.  My experiences have shown impolite people either feign ignorance of the behavior,or initiate defensive arguing. Very little positive results seem to happen when actually confronting someone on their pride and narcissism.

Pride and Narcissism are the hardest traits to get rid of. They innately don't exist to the person who is exhibiting the behavior. Hence : It's not ME it's YOU attitude.

If you have some insight or wisdom regarding this, by all mean leave a comment. I'm interested to know what the general consensus might be these days. 

In the meantime...

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. - Dalai Lama