I hate people.

I can tend to think the same way that you do. Frankly, you can COUNT on people letting you down, and failing you when they should have come through.

To me there are a couple things that counter this.

First off, if you are too nice (I've been accused of this) the contrast between how you treat people, and the way they treat you may seem too great. I setup for myself a long time ago, a system of thinking that has kept me sane. I choose not to hold people's hurtful mistakes against them, unless they choose these mistakes intentionally for the purpose of hurting me or others. In other words, ask why did they do "x"? If the answer is they wanted to get "y" and didn't mean to hurt me (like collateral damage), then I give them a forgiven ticket in my mind. If you ask why they did "x" and answer is that they wanted to hurt you or others, then give them no mercy. Let them know what you think of them and generally sever any future contact with them. Their is difference is between "mistakes" and "selfish" and "malicious" being that malicious is the one to get pissed about.

Secondly, I heard Bono in an interview recently saying that 'grace is the one thing that is most difficult for us (humanity) to grasp'. But really, this and love (which grace is based out of) is the only redeeming factor for humanity in general. I mean nowhere else in life can such a counter be seen. Every action causes a reaction, but with grace, a specific action can be responded to with something completely undeserved. I suggest trying this out. It can help greatly with feeling that you are affecting society for the better. Giving back better than what is deserved is what the world needs most. Remember, true justice would screw us all, but grace gives us all a new chance.

Jam it back in, in the dark.