Today on ‘Medium’ I read an article titled “Practicing Positivity – Small things with a Large Impact”  which annoyed me. Y’all know how I feel about positivity *snort* *sneer* But what the article was about were things that I consider common courtesy; being a decent human being acknowledging other human beings.

You know I am all about smiles I can’t imagine NOT greeting every person I come across with a smile and a hello, even on the days when I am feeling less than wonderful. I can’t imagine NOT being polite and courteous. I can’t imagine NOT acknowledging when someone extends a courtesy to me. I can’t imagine NOT noticing the people I interact with on a regular basis, like in the grocery stores, and using their name and noting when they have made some change. Dominique D. had a new hair style this week. I noticed it and complimented her because – well, I do shit like that.

I fling compliments around like confetti because – hey, whatever anyone has done/said/is wearing, if it makes me smile then they are doing ME a kindness. So why shouldn’t I say “Love your outfit” “Your hair looks great” to complete strangers?

Look, I am no one special, and I don’t think I am any better or worse than anyone else on the planet and maybe I am naive when I get annoyed with people who comment on behaviors that I take for granted, as being special. And, that THEY are special *gasp* because they have discovered these behaviors and are now exhorting everyone else to put these behaviors into action.

I really, really, really wanted to comment on that ‘Medium’ article but – better to keep my opinions to myself – except here of course. This is my place to say what I want.

I don’t want you to think that I am not often rude and dismissive. As I have said before “Saint” is part of my name NOT part of who I am.

Just this past Sunday someone was banging on our apartment door – like a manic woodpecker – a rapid series of bang, bang, bang  over and over. WTF? I opened the door and there was a person there who held up their ID, started to say they were with the census and pointed down the hall and started to ask something about a neighbor. I rudely said, we did that already and closed the door in her face. Rude? Yup. You know what is even more rude, I’ve replayed that little scene in my head and revised my reaction to one even MORE rude as in – “Why the hell are you banging on my door! What the hell is wrong with you? Don’t you know how to knock on a door?” That’s what I should have said I’m thinking now.

So – yeah I can be rude. In real time and in retrospect (Ah, those what-I-should-have said moments.)

Anyway, today dawned sunny, cool, not humid, not hot and not rainy – this is a one day thing the weather people say.  I’ll take this one beautiful day, embrace it with smiles and giggles and wiggles of joy!