It is just a personal observation of mine that in several decades I have never seen so much negativity in people as I have been seeing during this 2006 holiday season.

Sometimes it seems as if all of the worst traits of people are showing themselves just as Christmas draws near. What a shame.

Maybe we need to step back for just a moment and look at our situations with some more perspective. There is way too much rushing about and aggressive driving, to the point that pedestrians are nearly getting run over and store employees are being verbally abused. There is way too much petty bickering, criticism, rudeness and confrontational attitude among us, considering the season.

Stop and think about your criticisms and consider whether you measure up to the standards you are expecting others to meet. Are you treating people the same way that you would like to be treated, yourself? Time out.

Of the people you see daily, how many have you actually taken the time to say something nice to? Conversely, do you know some people from whom you have yet to hear one nice word? Christmas will have meaning only if we find what's positive in those we know or meet and bring those positives to people's attention. In the midst of all the hostility out there, a kind word can truly make someone's day. On the other hand, without that extra effort, you may well play the Scrooge and ruin someone's day.

Lisa M. Backus

Auburn