Grumpy is So Much Quicker

Written By Jonathan Krogh

Dear Fellow Codgers,

Well, we got our new street [see last week’s musing here]. It’s smooth and neatly black-topped with new crosswalk lines cleanly heat-fused into the asphalt. I even got a call from the alderman’s office letting me know they had learned the start date for the project—while it was being done. I also got a text message from my oldest sister who had read last week’s Musing and informed me I was way too young to be such a grumpy old man (older sisters are really good at pointing out the obvious).   

So, I’ve changed my disposition in preparation for my birthday. I’ve decided to become that kindly old guy on the block who compliments children and scratches dogs, marvels at the weather and shouts encouragement to neighbors working on their homes. Yessiree, Bob, I plan to be the okayist neighbor on the street, maybe in the entire 23rd precinct of the 19th ward. I’ll adopt Job 12.12 as a life verse: “Wisdom is with the aged and understanding in length of days.” I’ll “let many years teach wisdom." (Job 32.7)

Who am I kidding?

There once was a time when grumping at people required eye-contact, which required a certain amount of personal responsibility. Alternatively, a sharply written letter could do the trick, but there was paper, envelope, stamp, pen and time; that usually gave me enough delay to calm down and rethink my impatient rant. But now, it’s possible to be obnoxious in a matter of seconds; it’s the new age gifted to us through the speed of social media. You don’t have to pause a bit. One-click outrage is close at hand through emojis of disgust. From the shaking-my-head to piles-of-poop, people can feel my disdain, and all I need to move are my thumbs.

Of course, kindness and approval are also simple to express. Hearts, smiles and thumbs-up are also readily available, but we’re somewhat wired for our first response to be resistance or disapproval. “Yes” requires thought. Considering another’s opinion and then weighing it to determine if it will change us isn’t the sort of thing we do quickly. It’s why I used to coach couples to say the second or third thing that popped into their mind. My grandmother’s advice was to count to ten.

If I’m going to be that nice guy on my block, I’m going to have to slow down. Who has time for that?

Still a work in progress toward politeness, I remain,

With Love,
Jonathan Krogh
Your Pastor

Jonathan Krogh
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