They say that our times have lost their innocence. Granted, we are no longer living in a society that could be described as naive, unworldly or inoffensive but all innocence is not lost. I think it is time for innocence to make a comeback. Sophistication and her sisters jaded and skeptical have had their day in the sun and I for one am ready for something, well nicer.
Though the world has long lost its innocence I don’t believe that innocence is extinct. Our relationships can be innocent. Innocence can also be described as; freedom of cunning and deceit, simplicity and harmlessness. I don’t know about you but those adjectives also describe the way I’d like to interact with my friends and family.
It is so damned easy these days to shoot first and ask questions later. It is standard practice to assume everybody is out to get you. We jump to conclusions every day and more often than not those conclusions are of the unfavourable variety. We defend ourselves all the time in anticipation of an attack and as a result keep people at a distance. Relationship status on Facebook even offers the option ‘its complicated’. I am in no way suggesting that its wise to walk down a dark alley at night or to assume multinational companies are playing fairly, just that we could be nicer to the girl at the checkout, the guy on the bus, the crazy neighbour and our colleagues.
If you too would like more innocence in your life try these on for size:
- Everybody is doing the very best they can with what they have
- Nobody makes a decision, that at the time, they think is a bad one
- Most people respond well to honesty and honest feedback
- Most people blossom when given the benefit of the doubt
- Most people don’t realise they are being offensive
- Most times if you bring a transgression to someones attention you will get a full apology
So next time the service isn’t great, your friends cancels at the last minute or a colleague is frosty presume innocence. The alternative jaded negative view hurts no-one more than you.
Tags: Connection, Emotions, Feedback, Friendship, Happiness, Inspiration
