Rant for June 17th

Since when did disagreeing with someone, or seeing something differently, turn into "I don't like you and wish you'd stop bugging me?"
Last time I checked it is possible to have a different opinion and a different way of dealing with things and still love and speak to another person.
For some I guess it just isn't the case. I swear I know someone who takes any hint of disagreement as a personal insult instead of just accepting that we are different people, with different experiences and different ways of looking at any given situation.
I mean, I get that people can be going through a "tough time" but I swear this person has been going through one for ever and never misses an opportunity to point it out and use it as an excuse for everything. At some point can't people just take responsibility for their attitudes? I mean...a situation can make you feel and think for sure but it can't make you DO anything or SAY anything. Its totally in your own hands as to how you talk to someone or treat them.
I am getting so sick and tired of it being okay to use your situation as an excuse to treat people like crap.
You know what is worse? When that person is Christian.
Seriously, when there are homeless vets who have fought for their country and come home only to be ignored and mistreated at times, and THEY have a better attitude than you there is something wrong. Especially when you are Christian and should know better. We are called to treat people with kindness and mercy without the expectation of it in return. Put in your mind the image of a child, arms crossed, a stubborn look on his or her face refusing to do what is asked of them (like eat their veggies, or apologize) that is how so many people are today. Refusing to be kind or merciful until the OTHER person does something FIRST. You know what the result is? Two people standing there, arms crossed, faces turned into an angry baby pout and nothing changing.
If you want things to change in your life, in your relationships or in your situation, sitting around and waiting for someone else to act is not going to make that happen. You will be waiting for a long time, unless of course that person is more sensible than you and actually makes the first move...but why not be THAT person for someone else? Why not be the one who swallows their pride and does what needs to be done to get things moving?
So, if you are in one of these face-offs, standing there with a petulant pout and a perpetual problem, why not make the first move? Why not apologize, or start being nice even when you don't feel like it. It will be hard at first and uncomfortable and you may even feel like the other person is swelling with pride that they did not "cave" first or you may feel that they really don't care about what you are trying to do. You know what you do then? Keep trying. Keep being kind and merciful. Keep on treating them the way you wish they would treat you, and eventually, things will turn around. And if that person doesn't come around despite your valiant efforts other people will notice and you may find that you earn the respect and love from OTHER people far more worth your time and effort.