Perspective

Sometimes it just takes hearing a different perspective to wake up and realize what you are doing wrong. If you get too caught up in your own thoughts (check), even if you think you're being realistic and thinking of other people, you may not be because it is going through the self-centered filter. So if other people are not living up to your wishes and expectations, try thinking of things differently--from their perspectives--and they might not be acting so disappointingly.

It reminds me of some music. I never think about a song or like it particularly, but then I hear it *differently* and suddenly I gain an appreciation for it, or maybe I even start liking it. (e.g. a lot of the music used by Girl Talk. This is also a good argument for free music or sampling. True, it may seem like stealing or taking credit for something that is not yours, BUT it also gets people listening to, and maybe even liking, music that they otherwise would never listen to or like.) So, I may not like a person that much, but if I look from that person's perspective about how I seem...I'm not that likable. I act uninterested, uninteresting, and not very approachable. When I don't like people particularly, I guess I don't care much about seeming like that, but 1.) that is my error and weakness, and 2.) maybe if I thought about this, and put in some effort, I'd feel differently. When things get complicated, and what often keeps me from putting in effort, is when I think I'm having a revelation and think that this will really make things better, and think I'm being a better person...try with somebody, and then they just end up hurting my feelings, not putting in effort, or just being an asshole. Then I'm like, 'hey, why'd I try?' complication.

I think this is a good thought.