most people are tolerable

Yes, you are cynical, but more than anything, you’re a realist. You see what’s screwed up in the world, but you also take time to remember what’s right.

You Are 44% Cynical

How Cynical Are You?

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I know these things are silly but I think this is actually rather accurate.

With 37 years of ups and down I definitely have my share of skepticism about the world and people in it. At the same time, I was raised with a belief in God and a trust that all things happen for a reason. This is what gives me balance. I see the glass of water as neither half empty nor half full, but simply 1/2 a glass of water.

I have also learned over the years that beyond our biological necessities we all share the same 3 basic external essentials: to be understood, appreciated and encouraged, regardless of race, age, gender, sexual preference, religious affiliation or socio-economic status. I believe it is our quest for these three needs that drive us from day to day. You see this in:

• the kids in the mall with the mischievous behavior
• the ambitious coworker who comes in early, stays late and rarely takes leave
• the neighbor who puts out $40,000 worth of lights and decorations for Christmas
• the friend who lies about everything
• the cousin who has been married 4 times
• the guy driving down the street with spinning rims and his music blaring

Regardless of how it manifests, a lot of our behavior can be traced back to a quest for, or a lack of, one (or more) of those 3 essentials. Once I realized this, I started looking at other’s idiosyncrasies a little differently. People became a tiny bit more tolerable and I saw their dysfunctional behavior as either sad or amusing.