Day 450 ~ Watch Out World, It's Madea & Me ;)

Please read Day 448 and Day 449 for parts one and two...

My closing thoughts...  I am certainly not saying that everyone should go "clean house" per say.  {and} I am certainly not saying that everyone should confront one another.  What I am saying is that when needed we shouldn't turn away from helping one another.

These days everyone is hustling and bustling... everyone is going {more or less} 100 miles per hour... whether it's off to work... taking kids to school... doctor appointments... or... business appointments... everyone is off doing their part in this world.  

Sad thing is... most times we are soooo busy that we seldom, maybe even rarely, stop to help one another.  When was the last time you or anyone you know pulled over to help someone that was changing a tire? (providing it was safe)

I have literally witnessed an older woman struggling to pick up something she dropped... and three people walking by before the fourth person stopped to help her, I was the fifth. 

So when my husband found the wallet in the first situation... I would hope to think that given the same situation, people in general would display the same courtesy.  I am not saying to jump out of your vehicle in traffic or anything, be safe of course... just do whatever you can to see that "the wallet" gets back to who it belongs to before they go through the trouble of cancelling all the credit cards, and calling their employer.  

The second situation... I see this ALL THE TIME, people disrespecting not only others but social "rules."  Sure I could have minded my own business... however, if we all minded our own business then people would be cutting in lines left and right, leaving others to eventually do the same.  Is that really what we want to see?  {again} I am not saying to get yourself involved in confrontations-  I really do hate them... but when you see someone else that may need you to speak for them, then why not?  

Finally.. the last situation should not have happened.  The "mad" {as in "crazy"} couple SHOULD not have carried on like that.  Maybe... just maybe... a simple "ouch" should have been enough.  The young lady WAS very sorry and did apologized at least three times and was very nice and sincere about it. {It was obvious that something else was brewing there, an earlier argument or their coffee spilled or something, after all why react like that?}  You know what?...the Target employee must have looked away at the same exact time the man decided to once again to stop in place.  It wasn't as if he dropped something and stopped to pick it up either... he just kept stopped in conversation.

I want to add here If at anytime I felt as if I was not safe or my daughter... I would have kept to myself.      I will not jeopardize our safety.  I was near the cash registers, with plenty of people around us.  Being that we were feet away from these people, I was tired of my daughter having to listen to these bullies.  If it was not safe I would have gotten management or called 9-1-1 if needed.

Believe it or not I do not, I repeat I DO NOT like confrontations... hahahaha yeah right- no seriously... but what I like even less is to see injustices.

There was a time that society was more respectful of one another.  Men were not just men, they were gentlemen.  Women were true ladies.  Oh and all children were respectful of adults.  A time where if a person was able, they would give their seat up for the elderly, or to a woman with a handful of children.  This was a society. 

Or is it that there was respect in the air?  

©Tyler Perry as Madea (You Rock!)

Now I know that there is a "bad apple" here and there, no society is perfect.  Nonetheless, everyone for the most part had manners, respect.

It just hit me... I was watching a "Madea"... I really like that Tyler Perry, what talent- a true humanitarian in the making!  ... and it just hit me!!  Madea's character is reminding people of their manners.  I love this woman!!

So maybe I'm doing the same?  hahaha  

Sorry about that "a.d.d." moment ;) ... but, honestly? ... I just can't help myself.  I just have to remind people of their manners... someone has to.  Right?  hahaha - my shot of humor here folks!  Just an attempt.  lol.  But seriously... what's more important I have to help others... I feel the need to help others... and am not afraid to speak up.

Seriously... for as long as I can remember I've been helping others, coming to their aid.  I usually go for the underdog, the person in need.- can you tell?  ;)  

My seeing if everything was okay and informing the woman that she had pulled into the front of the line [if it was an emergency- well that's a different story] or my telling the couple that it was enough... was NOT what it seemed, it wasn't about that... 

It was about helping those that were parked in the car-line for at least 10 to 15 minutes... It was about helping the Target employee that was being bullied...  

{and} You know what... I would do it again. 

I/We were standing up for them... I/We were standing by them... I/We had their back.

I/We have your back!

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  ~ Philippians 2:4

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 449 ~ What "We" Did Do... {WWYD II}

Please read Day 448 for part one...

What we did ~

My husband Dean one day was driving down the road and spotted something in the middle of a busy Culver City intersection.  (YES middle of the intersection!  Overland and Washington)  He pulled his truck over, parked it and checked out what it is... it turned out to be a wallet, filled with credit cards, a payroll check and $120 cash. 

Once he got home, we found a business card in the wallet and called it.  All I have to say that BOY OH BOY was this young man happy!!  There was a little over $1,000 in the wallet if you want to count the payroll check!  {and} never mind about all the credit cards, a haven for any thief!  

He was so happy to hear that Dean was calling him about his wallet, intact with all its contents.  He and his family invited us in as we arrived with wallet in hand.  The only thing Dean {and I} accepted as a reward was a cold beer and some good conversation! 

One of the many reasons I love my husband... his integrity.

What we did ~

Tuesday morning (yes, just a couple of days ago) I was standing by the school fence waiting for Calley to get out.  Before I knew it, a [long] line of cars had formed for the after-school curb-side service {where the teacher brings the child to each parent in their car.}  Out of nowhere, I see a car pull up.  Before I could say anything to the other moms, the woman proceeded to park her car "in front" of all the other cars that had been waiting upwards of fifteen minutes.  Yes parents, myself included, start arriving that early for pick-up.

I really could not believe my eyes.  I turned to the other mom that I was talking to and she couldn't believe her eyes either.

This is where age comes in-  after a certain point you really do not care what others think and only think of what is fair, honest and just.  

Funny... I took another look around and everyone was in disbelief, yet no one was getting out of their cars to approach her.

There I went... I saw that she had Mexican license plates on her car, which explains a lot (another story).  

In Spanish I proceeded to say to her, "Excuse me madam..."  

She turns to me, "Yes?"

I continued, "I wanted to point out to you that this is the beginning of the car line, the end of the line is back there," as I pointed a ways from where we were standing.

Funny thing, I was given a response in such a tone as if she was clueless and was just born yesterday and knew nothing about "lines."  Bare in mind that she had to drive by all the cars in line before she pulled over.  Her response, "Oh, I'm sorry." and pulled away.

I was really nice about it, I promise.  But as I returned to my post, lol, all the parents that were in line started applauding me.

I mean really?  Doesn't anyone say anything anymore?  When we are kids we have no problem telling someone they just "cut" in front of us.  Now as adults no one says anything and it's all mayhem!

As long as I am in a safe environment, I'd do it again.

What we did ~

I was with Calley at Target a few weeks ago.  We were pushing our cart behind a young lady, and she's walking behind a couple who were walking in such a way that they took up the entire width of the aisle.  We were all trying to get somewhere, but no one could get by.  The couple was walking, then would stop, then go, and then walk slow off and on.  The distance between each of us lessened more and more due to the couple in front walking as if they were the only ones in the store.  I have never pushed my cart sooo slow, even Calley was wondering what was the hold up.

Next thing the young lady must have accidently bumped into the man (what did you expect? I mean really!... the couple kept stopping and going) and she immediately starts apologizing profusely.  The man starts yelling at the young lady for bumping into him and accuses her of doing it twice.  [I could not disbelieve what I was seeing, Calley couldn't either- "mommy, why is that mean man yelling at that nice lady?]  The young lady apologizes again, so sweetly.  Next thing the woman, who is walking with this man, starts yelling as if the young lady hadn't said a word.  "Don't you know "she" works at Target and can do whatever she wants.  They have no manners here..."  This woman gets louder and louder and continues to repeat herself over and over.  You and your daughter, along with others, witness this couple's rant and rage an entire five minutes.

SO here I go... "Excuse me.. but I think the both of you have said enough for the entire store to hear!"

The crazy woman... "Mine your own beeswax!  This does not concern you!"

I'm thinking "bees wax" really.. these people were older than me!  LOL!  I replied, "This is where you are mistaken. You made it my business when my daughter asks why the mean people are yelling. You are being ridiculous.  It was an accident, she apologized and that's it.  I saw the entire thing!"

Mind you the crazy woman, had continued to tell me "mine-ya... mine-ya."  I guess that meant to mine my own business.  She made it my business!

The Target employee turned to me afterwards and thanked me.  I said that they must be having a very bad life even though there was NO excuse for their behavior and asked her to pay it forward.


What would you do?

Seriously, what would you do?  Do you keep to yourself?  Do you say something?  Do you look the other way?  

My closing thoughts in tomorrow's post.  to be continued...

Do to others as you would have them do to you.  ~Luke 6:31

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 448 ~ What Would You Do?... II

You're driving down the road and spot something in the middle of the street.  You pull your car over, park it and check out what it is... it turns out to be a wallet, filled with credit cards, a payroll check and $120 cash.

What would you do?

You're standing by the school fence waiting for your child to get out.  A line of cars has formed for the curb-side service where the teacher brings the child to each parent in their car.  Out of nowhere, you witness a woman pull up and park her car in front of all the other cars that were there first. 

What would you do?

You're with your child at Target pushing your cart behind a young lady, and she's walking behind a couple who were walking in such a way that they took up the entire width of the aisle.  No one could get by.  They were walking, then would stop, then go, and then walk slow off and on.  The distance between each of you lessen more and more due to the couple in front walking as if they were the only ones in the store.  Next thing you know the young lady accidently bumps into the man (what do you expect?... the man kept stopping) and she immediately starts apologizing profusely.  The man starts yelling at the young lady for bumping into him and accuses her of doing it twice.  [You watch with disbelief]  The young lady apologizes again, so sweetly.  Next thing the woman, who is walking with this man, starts yelling as if the young lady hadn't said a word.  "Don't you know "she" works at Target and can do whatever she wants.  They have no manners here..."  This woman gets louder and louder and continues to repeat herself over and over.  You and your daughter, along with others, witness this couple's rant and rage an entire five minutes.

What would you do?

Seriously, what would you do?  Do you keep to yourself?  Do you say something?  Do you look the other way?  

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can that faith save him?  If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  ~James 2:14-17

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.