Cruelty

There is a distinct disconnect between myself and the world. It seems to become only more and more pronounced as I grow older. I can no longer say with veracity that I understand my past self. I was such a spiteful, angry, obnoxious little brat. I was the kind of kid who got into trouble because I preferred to be alone in the corner than listening to the lesson.

Oh, wait, that part I still understand, even though I've come to better appreciate a chance to learn.

It was more the cruelty and bullying I was capable of inflicting on others. A real problem child.

These days I don't even think ill of others. Ever. It's weird, but I always end up feeling sad when someone speaks bad about another person, especially if that person isn't present.

And yet, despite changing so much and putting all that anger behind me, I still pull a double take when someone refers to me as "man" instead of "boy." Although, to be fair, I've come to prefer gender neutral terms anyways, particularly "kid," goat jokes be damned.

I suppose it's not a particularly good idea to extend the benefit of the doubt too far, but even my pessimistic outlook on the world cannot convince me that persons are bad or stupid. In fact, despite the common depiction of the masses as a crowd of faceless morons I have yet to meet someone who is truly stupid or particularly spiteful. Yes, sometimes people do mean things, and sometimes people do stupid things, but singular actions, or even patterns of behavior, should not be grounds to justify a negative judgment upon the persons actions. Actions can be forgiven and behavior can be rectified. Do not punish or recriminate, but reform.

Justice need not be done if greater good comes from other means. 

So, please, when you feel like calling someone "stupid" or "bitch" or to declare your hatred for them, stop for a moment and ask yourself, "are they really?"

And even if the answer is yes, don't hate them. They still have time to change, and you have no need to make yourself worse hating them.