Recently, I've been thinking about people that might not like me. I haven't confirmed the truth about this because it would be weird to go up to someone who you think doesn't like you and ask, "Why don't you like me? What have I ever done to you?"...because they might just think I'm crazy and it would be an awkward moment. Or they could say, "Actually, I liked you...but now that you brought it up, I don't like you anymore".
Honestly, I try to see the good in other people and I hope that others try to see whatever good there is in me. I know that I'm far from being the perfect person. God loves me and likes me, I have a family and I know who my true friends are, so it doesn't matter so much to me.
I made a list of stuff that I don't like about some people (I'm sure you can relate!)
- Proud actions: you know those people, who bump into you, and don't say sorry; those who look at you and don't say hello or smile; those who greet the person next to you, but totally ignore you; those who think they are the centre of the universe, people who think they are right all the time, even if they are.
- Deception: I absolutely hate this one; people talking about me behind my back; saying one thing to my face and another to someone else...please, insult me to my face because then I can at least cry about it before I fall asleep at night if it is true, or have the pleasure of rebuke you if it's not.
- Rudeness: this doesn't need explaining.
- Stinkyness: When people smell bad (this is not as serious as the others...or is it?).
I can't think of anything else. Those are the main things. They are the things I tend to avoid doing myself because I know how much I dislike it in others.
After identifying those things that I find so repulsive in people, it is important for me to remember that God loves them. He might even like them. After all, He created them.
Liking someone isn't a choice that you can make. Somethings are just repulsive to some people. But loving people is a choice and series of actions.
For example, there have been times when young students have farted in their piano lessons. Now, just because I don't like the smell, doesn't mean I stop teaching them. I accept them for who they are, farts and all.
Okay, maybe that wasn't the best example. How about...
Giving a birthday present to a girl who doesn't like you (or who you may suspect doesn't like you)?
Praying for someone who has hurt you in the past?
Believing in the potential of someone to become your friend?
Funnily, I wasn't really planning to write about loving your neighbour...but this kind of relates if you don't like your neighbour (or if you suspect that your neighbour doesn't like you).
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