NOT MY FAVORITE KIND OF PEOPLE

Ok, I know that the Bible and every other peace loving religion tells us to be loving to all. And thats all fine, but at least where preference in spending time with is concerned, there is a group of people that I'd rather not have regular contact with. Did that sound very pro-segregation? Believe me I am all for democracy and the equality of all men; in fact I believe in certain aspects of democracy that some of you might consider extreme. But in the area of company I reserve the right to chose, that too very carefully. The popular saying ' A man is known by the friends he keeps' bears a lot of truth, at least in my reckoning.

The group of people that I refer to are those people who have two traits in combination. Misery and generosity! Yes, thats right- miserable people who have a generous bent to their personality. The reason is that they find reasons in every slight thing to be miserable, but they will not be content with that; no sir, they are generous remember? In fact they are so generous that they'd rather prefer to share their misery with ever other person they meet.

Misery is a trait that robs life of it's redeeming features; and believe me there are quite a few of them if we'd care to look in the right places. It slowly takes from a person the will to live and what's left is a human that is as positive and alive as the last wisp of smoke escaping a dying candle! There are enough reasons in life to make one feel like giving up, and in this dark situation misery does not help at all. The people who have a habit of being perpetually miserable not only harm themselves but also those around them. Have you ever felt that being with certain people for a long period of time makes you self pitying and fearful? More often than not such people are those who complain unceasingly about every darned thing. It's almost as if they were carbon dioxide that sucks off the very light that sustains life!

I do not suggest that we completely abandon them; in fact they need whatever help they can get. But marinating in their company will not do a person any good. Like I mentioned earlier, there are enough reasons in life to feel bad about without adding the added burden of a miserable person's negativity to the list. Spend time with them and try to help them see the positive side to life; but when you start feeling like you are turning into them, escape! Find people who are positive and cheerful because like misery cheerfulness also rubs off on others. One very good reason to be cheerful yourself; God knows this blasted world needs it! Talk about being self contradictory!

Miserable and generous- surely a most lethal combination if ever there was one!