Five Traits

Gun’s Quote-of-the-Week:

“Remember: There are five undeniable traits that each and every person you meet holds:
1. They're afraid of something.
2. They love something.
3. They've lost something.
4. They're dreaming of something.
5. They've been hurt by something.”
-Unknown

The Iowa Caucus is behind us, New Hampshire is right around the corner. Whether you like it or not, it is official: We are in an election year. God help us all.

Don't stop reading. I'm not using Gun's Quotes as a forum to preach my political views, so you can all relax. Rather, I am noting something that tends to happen every single time this four-year cycle rolls around, and something that I want to call your attention to because you are guilty of it, too. It is called: Cynicism.

Simply put, cynicism is the general distrust of somebody else's integrity or motives. It's the belief that everyone does whatever they do for some ulterior motive. Everyone is out to get you.

I am constantly appalled by what candidates have to say when somebody puts a microphone in front of them. Democrats accuse corporations of gouging the poor of what little money they have, and accuse the rich of stealing from whomever they can. Republicans accuse the government of acting like "Big Brother," and overtaxing its citizens only to waste money on some $10,000 toilet seat, or other ludicrous thing. Democrats attack Democrats and Republicans attack Republicans while vying for the enamored "Primary" votes that are so critical early on in everyone's respective campaigns.

It's no wonder everyone thinks the country is so screwed up: If we spend even 5 minutes listening to this garbage you might start believe that the people we walk next to daily want to blind-side us, too.

Does everyone here think that everyone here wants to somehow hurt, rob, or otherwise screw everyone here?

The next time you think that somebody, like your boss, your family, your pastor, your worst enemy, your Representative or Senator, and yes, even your President, lives solely to make your life miserable, think about the fact that that person has the five traits. Think about the fact that you do, too.

Everyone here is a human being. We have fears. We have love. We have sorrow. We have dreams. We have pain. These things are universal, human traits. Just what exactly is it that makes you think that everyone else around you doesn't have them? What makes you think that someone you see on TV, or even a stranger, is some cold-hearted, merciless traitor waiting to take you down? Is that what you are? Do you live to live off others? So why do you think other people do?

Cynicism is dividing this nation and pitting neighbor against neighbor. It turns would-be friends into strangers, or worse, enemies. It causes fear, anxiety, sometimes even hatred and anger. Worst of all, it simply keeps people from being happy.

If you don't want to intentionally hurt someone, then I hope after reading this week's quote that you at least consider the fact that the people you meet in the future don't want to, either. Give the people you meet tomorrow a chance. Maybe you'll even make a friend.

…and that’s why it’s a Gun’s Quote!