In the last couple of weeks, I have come to a realization about college. Sure, classes and dealing with some professors and even coworkers (not mine, of course; I have awesome co-workers) can be difficult, generating feelings of frustration or anger. However, I believe there's something that's even more challenging than those things. Actually it's probably most likely the overlying cause or theme in a couple of those things.

Not everyone grew up the way you did.

You might be sarcastically thinking, "No, really, Melissa." It's true, though. It's also easy to think that when it's not happening to you (like most things in life.)

If you're a frequent reader of my writing pieces, you know how much I love and appreciate my family. I'm so very blessed with a family such as mine. My parents, who didn't have the easiest childhood, know the value of hard work, spending money practically, honesty, a good work ethic, being courteous and kind to others, and many other admirable traits and characteristics. Just like the good parents they are, they wanted to make sure my siblings and I learned and realized how important it is to have those traits and others. (And I'd like to think they succeeded.) How my parents taught us those traits wasn't always a walk in the park; in fact, they were, and continue to be, hard lessons learned. Many times, I couldn't always realize or see what they were trying to teach me, but it was and continues to be worth all the frustration and confusion. All they've taught me is one of the many things I'm thankful for and I'll never regret the experiences, and someday, I hope to pass onto kids of my own (in the very distant future).

But not everyone experienced all that I have and I haven't experienced all that everyone has. It can be a hard truth to swallow. Not everyone I help at the library is as courteous as I was taught to be, and I grin and bear it. Not everyone was raised to be kind and do something nice for a stranger, especially when it might slightly inconvenience themselves. Not everyone was taught to respect coworkers and supervisors and do as instructed. Not everyone was raised to not spend money as soon as they get paid and learn how to save it in case of a rainy day. Maybe most importantly, not everyone was raised, or at the very least trying, to think of others and their feelings before themselves.

Everyone is different, yes. Everyone experienced life a little differently, yes. Is it frustrating when you wonder why someone doesn't know that a harsh truth is better than any sugar-coated lie? Is it hard when you wonder why someone doesn't know that actions speak louder than words; that apologies require a change? Yes. Hell yes, it is. This happens with roommates, best friends, friends, coworkers, and anyone else you come into contact with on any given day. What's probably even harder is accepting and understanding differences in values, opinions, and more. The good thing is that this a life-long process, and you have plenty of time to learn it as you go.