Maybe They Just Need Someone to Care
I have been watching a TV series recently, and one of the characters is a bit mean at times.
Actually, more than a bit mean.
He can be angry. Harsh. Difficult. The kind of person many people would probably rather avoid.
But as the writers developed this character over several seasons, something became clear.
Underneath all that anger, he was really just looking for love and acceptance.
Especially from the people he admired.
And when he did not receive it, his hurt often came out as anger.
Now yes, I realize this is only a TV show.
But stop and think about this for a moment:
Isn’t it possible this happens around us all the time?
Aren’t there people all around us who are simply hoping to be loved, accepted, noticed, or treated like they matter?
And yet they are not.
Why?
Maybe because people just do not share the love.
And that raises another question:
Could it be that some people do not share love because no one is sharing it with them either?
That is something worth thinking about.
Years ago, I had a client who was up in age. At first glance, she seemed like an angry, mean old lady.
That would have been an easy conclusion to make.
And honestly, many people probably did make that conclusion.
But I decided I wanted to learn more about her.
I wanted to see if maybe there was a reason she was the way she was.
And do you know what I found?
She was actually a lovely lady.
She just needed someone to pause long enough to show her kindness.
She needed someone to treat her like she mattered.
Every time I went to see her for business reasons, I also took about 15 minutes just to talk with her.
Not as a client.
Not as a task.
Just as another person.
And what a difference that made.
Not only in her, but in my own perception of her.
Because once I took time to see past the rough exterior, I found someone very different underneath.
Now think about this:
What if I had simply accepted the idea that she was a mean old lady?
What if I had avoided anything personal?
What if I had only done the business I came to do and left as quickly as possible?
We both would have lost out.
Instead, I treated her the same way I tried to treat patients when I worked in the hospital.
With kindness.
With respect.
With a smile.
With the Golden Rule.
And the results were the same.
A little kindness made a difference.
A little love made a difference.
A little time made a difference.
It reminds me of what I wrote about dogs.
Dogs come to us with their tails wagging.
They do not overthink love.
They bring warmth into the room.
And while I cannot wag my tail, I can still bring a smile.
I can still bring kindness.
I can still choose to treat someone like they matter.
And so can you.
The next time you come across someone who seems angry, bitter, difficult, or hard to love, maybe pause for a moment.
Maybe there is more to their story than what you see on the surface.
Maybe they have been hurt.
Maybe they have been ignored.
Maybe they have gone a long time without anyone treating them with warmth.
No, you cannot fix everyone.
And no, you should not put yourself in danger or allow people to mistreat you.
But sometimes a little kindness can reach places that judgment never will.
Sometimes a smile can soften a hard moment.
Sometimes taking a few minutes to treat someone like they matter can change the way they respond.
So maybe, just maybe, the next time you meet someone like that lady…
Try being a little more like your dog.
Bring a smile.
Bring warmth.
Bring kindness.
And see what kind of difference love can make.
Then, if something good happens, come back here and share your story in the comments.
Because hate spreads.
But love can spread too.
Stand up in the fight against hate. Choose to spread the luv!
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