Get Off My Lawn!

This is Peanut Butter Brickle. How often do you feel irritable? How often do you feel bothered…or judgy? I know it’s hard to believe. But I feel that way a lot.

Ever since I was a little pup, I’ve wondered why others have to be so loud. I’ve wondered what all the commotion is about everywhere and every day. Sometimes, and I mean all the time, I just need a little peace and quiet.

That’s why I was really excited when we came to this campground and we had our own deck and table and it was right on the creek.

Oh, the tranquility. I knew I was finally going to get some rest from noise and anything bothersome, which is most everything.

But my dream was not to be fulfilled completely. It wasn’t meant to be. Because others had the same idea. Especially little others who wanted to scream and yell and play and raise the noise level in this whole Georgia place to the highest levels of my nerves.

Day after day, they inched closer and closer to my deck. Sure. I knew technically that the creek wasn’t mine. But who is for details all the time? So as they inched closer, I growled louder, Digby howled louder, and no one paid any attention. Until Girl Person told them that it would be better that they didn’t come in our campsite. But all I wanted to say was get off my lawn!

So I said it loud and clear.

That’s when one of the noise makers asked Girl Person why…why to everything she said.

And I heard my inner dialogue urging my outer irritability to express what we all knew. My badder mood was coming. Have you ever felt like that? Like you just couldn’t handle the nonsense?

Sure. I know it’s not nice to be irritable. Sure. I know it’s better to be sweet and kind and go with the flow like Digby. Although I’m not like that naturally, I also know I have to try. There’s no excuse not to try. Even when the word why makes you want to jump in that creek.

It’s easier for me to yell get off my lawn then to explain why I’d appreciate it if they didn’t get so close. Are you that way? Do you have to consciously make an effort to be nice?

If so, you’re not alone. We all have stress and pressures, especially lately. And when we feel like things can’t get any worse, we often take it out on others. But put yourself in another’s place.