Prickly People

When it comes to kids, the more challenging they are, the more I like them. In fact, I can find a fair amount of surplus patience for them - usually - and I tend to understand their behavior - not condone - enough to feel for them the compassion that all beings deserve.

So why is it when I meet prickly adults every ounce of patience and compassion I own flies out the window?

I know I should feel their pain, anguish, frustration, etc, and want to give them a big hug.

Bit it's all I can do to keep myself from slapping then and yelling "get over it already!"

Ok I said it.

Clearly I am in need of more meditating and sending out a ton more metta.