I
“I will not stop being a good person just because of bad people.”
Well, that’s the quote on my daily calendar at home, and I don’t know if that’s true. I certainly hope that it is, but the reality is: who determines what’s good or bad? It’s 5:33 am and I have been up since 2 am and despite my best efforts, I could not fall back to sleep. Which, for me, means my mind is more restless than usual, and I am troubled by my own thoughts.
I have heard a lot of comments about myself over the last week, and although I normally don’t care, I guess I am wondering what direction my life is going in and if it’s time for a course correction. I spend my life solving problems and helping people, and I love what I do for the most part. Though some people really have an ability to make me believe that they might actually be bad. I am more inclined to think that their actions are bad and they’re just truly unhappy and miserable with themselves. Complaining and pointing out everything that is wrong takes the attention away from themselves and gives them temporary relief from their own misery.
However, by them doing this they make everyone around them miserable and unhappy. Therefore, these innocent people now feel bad, and their happiness has been temporarily stolen from them. So, if one constantly makes everyone around them feel bad, does that make them a bad person? I don’t have that answer other than to say to avoid these people. Most importantly, don’t bother trying to speak with them, for they don’t want to hear the truth; they just want you to agree with them that everyone else is the problem. When you don’t agree with them, then you become the focus of their anger and attacks. Many people elect to placate these individuals in order to avoid conflict or keep the peace. I am not one of those people, as I know that only makes them worse long term, as it did to me.
The summer has been going well, and I want to thank the staff for a great season thus far. The pool has been getting a lot of use this summer, and I want to thank the pool staff for doing a great job with keeping everyone safe. I want to remind everyone that the pool is for the use of all of our residents and their guests. Please make sure that you follow all the rules every time you come down and be considerate of your neighbors. I spend a lot of time speaking to adults about following rules that they clearly know that they’re breaking. I want everyone to enjoy and have fun, but please don’t do so at the expense of someone else’s joy.
Some people come down and want to sit, read a book, cool off in the water, and have a peaceful lunch. While others want to come down with their neighbors and kids and let the kids blow off energy. So, yes, the kids act like kids, and they play and can be louder than some may like. However, as long as it’s within reason, they have the right to do so. If they are breaking the rules or being too loud, please inform a staff member, and they will address it. I ask the parents of these kids to be considerate of people trying to relax, and for people relaxing to be understanding of parents needing a break.
I love my peace and solitude, and when I go hiking or to the beach, I prefer to do so when it’s quiet and nobody is around. If I go hiking and I get behind a group of high school or college kids, I am beyond disappointed. As I know they will be loud and joking about nonsense the whole way up. I have two choices: I can either make the best of it or turn back. I can’t, however, tell them to turn back or be quiet, as I want the mountain to myself. Being patient and accepting of others doesn’t come naturally to most, and certainly not me. Though most who know me will say I am a very patient person. Well, that’s not true, but a lifetime of practice has made me much more patient and understanding than I once was. Let’s all work on allowing everyone to enjoy the summer amenities, as fall will be here before we know it.
Someone recently said my articles aren’t about Bretton Woods and that I just write to vent about life. I do write about life, as Bretton Woods is a part of all our lives, and how we choose to live in life impacts the community directly. If someone ever has a specific question about the community, I encourage them to e-mail or call me, as many do. I spend a great deal of time on the phone or e-mailing with residents every day. Nobody can ever make the claim that I don’t always make myself available to answer any and all questions/concerns.
As far as venting, that’s not what I am ever doing, nor will I. If I want to vent, I go for a run, a hike, or a swim, and if that’s not enough, I have endless people to talk to. I prefer to solve my issues internally so as not to burden others with my problems. That’s probably a direct result of being the guy that everyone goes to with their problems, whether that be work, family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, or strangers. I find that my problems naturally go away when I help others solve theirs.
Every article is meant to make people think about how we can be better to others and ourselves. If you find things in the article that relate to you, then know that’s my goal. Not to offer judgment, but rather a different perspective. I try to see life through the lens of as many different people as possible and encourage all of you to do the same. For when we only see things from our perspective, we really don’t see anything at all.
Craig Pessin- HOA Administrator
Life has a way of changing what we believe to be important in an instant. I want to believe that my priorities are intact and that I am living the life that I am supposed to be. However, I know that’s not true and I should be doing more and I have to stop making excuses. I know I am moving in the right direction, but if I don’t move quicker, I will lose my way.