When I first saw this ad on TV, it made me sit up and listen. And watch. I recognised myself as being on the giving as much as the receiving end of similar exchanges, although many of the giving usually happens only in my head. I want to, but don't, tell people what I think of their lack of consideration. Usually it is them, though, who give me an earful for not dissolving into thin air as they approach and claim the same space I am already occupying.

It is true, we all could do with a bit more tolerance. But a lot of people could also do with more awareness of what is going on around them, realising they are not alone, that we are indeed supposed to share the space.

So while I am at it, let me describe one of the moments that have me close to boiling point in next to no time.

The top spot has to go to a group of people walking 3 or 4 abreast on a pavement that is just about wide enough for that, coming my way when I am carrying heavy bags home from the supermarket. More often than not none of them will move over to leave room for me to get past but all of them will have a go at me after the inevitable collision for what can only be not lying down and letting them walk all over me in their current formation. I find I have very little patience with selfish people like that. I guess I should have more. If only to protect my mental and emotional wellbeing. Others may thrive on conflict. I don't.

As annoying as all this is, it is not really worth getting worked up about it. Because the negative energy we absorb from such situations stays with us. We suffer from it ourselves, and even if we don't mean to, we pass it on to others whom we either shouldn't or don't want to treat that way.

The only way to break negative energy cycles is holding against it with positive energy. If they push, pull. Move with them. That way, there can be no real impact. And if real impact is the intended outcome of the initial action, at least it is those people who end up frustrated, not the intended victims.