Who is a 'JERK" ?

Sometimes we get so busy with all the many many little things in life that over time we forget some of the lessons we have learned and applied in our dealings with others. One of mine that I had lost track of is one I called the “who is really a Jerk?” approach to others. It is a variation of the old “Do onto others …” and goes like this:

“Assume that when someone acts like a Jerk that they are having a very bad day and cut them some slack”

For much of my adult life I was very good at applying this attitude but in the last couple of years as I went through a period of OVERLOAD at both the personal and professional level I kind of lost track of it. Now don’t get me wrong, there are “Jerks” in the world and I would guess we all have met one. However, I believe that only about 1 in a million is really a “Jerk”, instead they are people who, at that moment in time, are acting in a Jerk-like way.

So why, if they are not really “Jerks” are they acting like one? I choose to believe that they are just having a very bad day. I know that I sure have had a life full of times that I have acted in a Jerk-like way and I would guess you have too. Why, because we are human. End of story, no deep analysis needed, period !!!! We are human!! OK you say; then what about those people who act in a jerk-like way for more than a day, maybe a week, or a month, etc? Most people are fortunate enough to live in an environment that is stable and bad days come and go, but for some, whole periods of life are bad days. Now that is not an excuse for acting like a jerk for a long period of time or even for just a day but it does allow me to respond to them in a more understanding way.

Have I acted like a Jerk sometimes? You bet!! More than I would ever like to admit. I bet you have too,  Now it is possible that you are one of those special people who doesn’t think that they have ever acted like a Jerk and I guess all I can say to you is “Good for you, your truly 1 in a million!”

Stephen