Come on peeps, where is the love?

Seems like we humans are showing exactly how instinctual, in a cruel way, we can be these days. There is a recent article on CNN about the emotional toll that the oil spill is taking on residents of the Gulf Coast, but after talking with a friend who was recently dicked around by good old corporate America last week, I'm pretty sure that the greed, sadness, and looking-out-for-number-one attitude is infiltrating the national psyche.

A lot of us non-gulf residents may not be affected by that tragedy except in paying more for shrimp and crying over devastating photos, but with the never-ending-crap economy, high cost of basic necessities, and justified fear of losing homes, jobs, and more, we're in the same boat. Alcohol and drug abuse has risen, child abuse has risen, and self-respect has declined. I don't have a link for the self-respect part, but figure that the other three should cover that.

It doesn't seem to matter where someone is, right now - whether they are unemployed and scared of losing their home, or fully-employed and scared of getting voted off their back-stabbing-fighting-for-life island, there's too much effing anger and lack of caring going around. Anger - even in those who aren't known for showing anger and greed. ANGER DAMMIT!

What will it take for us to chill our asses out and realize we're all in the same situation? Instead of thinking of how we can prevent a co-worker from getting credit for something they actually did so we can get the credit and bolster our job security, or take that middle-of-the-day drink, since we're not working anyway so what's it gonna hurt, or losing our temper at the kids simply for being kids (and maybe for their ability to pick up on adults' moods and vibes), why aren't we trying to lend a helping hand?

We all need help right now, in one form or another. Admit it. If you can't say that you could use a little help with something, whether it's yard work or even just chilling out, then you need help by being punched in the face and told that you aren't a freaking island...get over yourself and look for a neighbor who can't afford the lawn service anymore and is too old to do it themselves. Look for a friend who is devastated over the loss of a job and buy them lunch at Taco Bueno (you can get out of there for $5, so get over it). Do something. Smile when you don't feel like it, even if you're thinking about your next oxycontin fix. It will help someone's day feel brighter.

Fake it til you make it, peeps. Show the damned love in some small way.

And now breathe.