A waste of time might be the best thing to happen all day

When you've been around awhile, you start to sense there's a lot wrong with the world, and the future looks kind of bleak. For whatever reason, people have stopped just getting along with one another because we share the same world. It's like we think every mistake or momentary lapse of reason is directed right at us. That guy that just cut you off, he did it just to piss you off right? Not likely, he's probably just a dumbass. That person that cut you in line, she and her high and mighty self just thought that she was too important to wait like the rest of us. Actually she was probably just in her own little bubble of self-importance and thought she was lucky. It's doubtful any malice was intended, but she did lack the decency to consider her surroundings. Problem is common courtesy just isn't there anymore. Everyone is just too damned self-centered and think their time is more important than anyone elses. Don't stop for the red light, that minute or two you'll wait will make all the difference in your day. Don't hold the door for the guy right behind you, those precious seconds add up. Arrive at a parking spot at the same time, nose your Escalade in there because you might have to drive around another lap to find a spot. I have all sorts of theories, but it seems to filter down to two basic things. Lack of situational awareness, and witnessed reward of agression. Folks are lacking situational awareness so those that are so self-absorbed just don't take note of their surroundings, and as a result are rude, pushy, and seem agressive without even realizing it. Also, I think we've all seen too many examples of agressive behavior being rewarded in what I call squeaky wheel syndrome. In driving, we see the guy running all the way up the entrance ramp to beat out a few more cars get let in, so as time passes now you have two guys and so on. It's like those folks that lined up for Playstations or to see the Star Wars movies back in the day. People will just start getting there earlier and earlier. People will complain sooner and for less cause because they saw the other guy get something for nothing. I have a brother that got so bad that I stopped going out to dinner with him because he was always asking for the manager for some minor detail or other. Just because they brought you fries instead of tater tots isn't cause for a free meal if they brought out the tater tots as soon as it was brought to their attention. Give us a break Fred. Anyhow, do you get what I'm saying, life ain't a competition. Leaving adequate stopping distance between you and the car in front isn't an invitation to play the Freeway equivalent of the college phone booth gag. Let's see how many cars we cans stuff into this lane. It's also not Nascar, I personally don't care if you're jockeying for pole or taking two seconds off your lap time on Tuesday's commute, I just want to get there alive. It's like this, we're all allotted a certain number of days, hours, minutes, and seconds on this here rock. We're gonna waste way more of them doing stupid things than we'll ever make up trying to beat the system or our fellow man. So, try to make it more about quality instead of quantity. That 3 minute red light might let you hear your favorite song, or dodge a crappy task, or even save your life, who knows. Also, just take more note of your surroundings, it's not hard and you might be surprised at the stuff you're missing. That smile or thank you, or bit of conversation might just make the rest of your day, even if cost you a minute, you're richer by so much more.