Self Awareness

I am not necessarily a "Pollyana" type, but I do (or did) believe most people have manners. That is now in question. Humans are competitive by nature. I understand that. I am very competitive and a bit of a control freak. I try to be self-aware. However, I am finding more and more that people are totally unaware of self. Or perhaps it's that they are hyper-aware of self. I observe self-absorbed stares on people's faces as they navigate a store. These are the people that will run into you and give you a dirty look for not moving. They are so hyper-aware of their wants that it eludes them that they were the rambling pinball that just tilted. They are the ones that cut you in line and offer no apology, because they really didn't see you (hyper-awares only see themselves). These are the people who say hurtful things and never apology because their words meet a need for themselves and how they affect others is not a concern. I think it has reached epidemic proportions. Americans have become obese and bloated by self-consumption.

Why am I ranting on this today? It's car inspection day for me. Yes, I did wait until the last minute, but life has been hectic and the trivial forgotten. I arrived at the inspection super store 25 minutes prior to the 9:00 time I was told to arrive by an attendant yesterday. At five minutes prior to 9:00 some gentleman arrived with speed. Then another - this one even pulling up to the bay. The first guy hopped out of his car, looked at me, and started looking for someone to take him. He knew I was waiting, but he honestly was expecting to go ahead of me. He made a beeline for the front door and I was instantly set in competition mode. Finally, one of the mechanics arrived. "Here for inspection?" he asked me and the first guy. We replied, "Yes." The first guy followed him and asked him something. Then he jumped back into his car and sped off just as fast as he had arrived. At nine I walked to the front door just to be told by the manager that the inspector would not arrive until 10:00. I was peeved not because the inspector wouldn't be there until 10:00 but because the mechanic nor the first guy said anything. Couldn't you pass on the message people? On the way back to my car I passed the message along to the other waiting people in an attempt to get some good karma in the air. I decided that I could either choose to be angry about a situation I could not control or I could turn that frown upside down with a scone and latte.

In the universe's continuous battle to create balance, when I returned to the inspection super store at 9:45 the manager informed me that because I had not left the premises that mine would be the first car inspected. Go good karma!

Go forth my friends and use your humanity for good and not evil. Or, at the very least, just don't be one of those hyper self-aware types.