Everyday, I watch people shake hands, hug and talk.
I watch people love and often, become angry at one another. [And sometimes, towards myself.]

This is the life of someone who has a tiny part in one person’s struggle to learn the other. 

We are all simply fascinated with one another. I don’t think we’ll come out and say it, but we are. This is why TV provides such great entertainment. We love watching fake lives. We love watching real lives. Drama or no drama, we are fascinated that other people live, eat and talk like we do [and billions of others who do not.]

This is also why Facebook is so damn addicting.

I think hard about the people who show their distaste in something I make…or am a part of making. Walking up to the counter, they say, “This wasn’t good.” **In obvious passive aggressive tone**

It was a hot chocolate. You didn’t like it because you didn’t like the chocolate…that’s not really my issue..but you made it known to me. 
[My heart hardens.]

And the thing is, you kept telling me it wasn’t good, somehow trying to put me in my place. I was decent in my response telling you it was a different chocolate, but you were bent on making me feel very small. 
There are so many ways to say how you feel, but when you choose a way that is hurtful, you’ve done so much more damage than you think. 

I don’t understand this. 
It’s what makes me nervous about eating out with certain family and friends who make it well known that their food sucked or something was wrong. 
I get embarrassed. I know how it feels and I know those of you who have worked in this line of business know how it feels. It makes you [and me] angry people.

And so it goes, the next person apologizes…or makes it known that they extremely grateful [and my heart softens again.]

I learn how my soul aches for justice and dignity. I think on the people that have absolutely no say in the destructive decisions other people make in their lives. My heart especially breaks at the site of one person demeaning another. It’s so childish, but I see it all the time. And, as it breaks my heart, I see it in myself.

I don’t think we communicate really well. At least, the way we see it on TV is generally not how we should act in real life, though sometimes we learn from it. Our natural reaction to something unpleasing involves more anger than it should, if any at all. This stuff is on TV for a reason, because we know if we all acted that crazy, we wouldn’t have any friends. If we did have friends it was people that liked the idea of you; not you as a person. 

I think we assume people automatically understand us and our intentions. Believe it or not, people can’t read your mind or expect you to do exactly what they’re thinking. We get upset when we are let down.

We have high expectations and get utterly discouraged when we realize that life, for the most part, works better in its simplicity. 
But this isn’t romantic, you know?

Working everyday. 
Buying groceries. 
Cooking food and eating.
Conversation.
Laughing.
Visiting. 

These things are beautiful in their simplicity, but not nearly interesting enough to be on TV.
Funny enough, I love watching people eat and talk about food. 
Sitting down for food at a table is the great equalizer.

I beg of you, whoever read this, to be kind to those who make your food. Even if it’s not good…let them know, but not in a way that’s hurtful. They need to know, but not at the expense of how they view you from now on. 

I’m not the best at communicating, but I’m willing to work on it for the sake of our Belovedness. 

And for you, hurtful hot chocolate guy: 

…!@#$ you.
(just kidding.)

kind of.