mis·an·thrope

ˈmis(ə)nˌTHrōp,ˈmiz(ə)nˌTHrōp/

noun

1. a person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society.

   synonyms:

   hater of mankind, hater, cynic;  recluse, hermit ;  informal:grouch, grump "he was going to join a group of misanthropes but he disliked all the members"

Art Garfunkel speaking about himself.  “I’m a misanthrope,” he says.

When asked what advice he has given his son, he perhaps humorously offers, “Watch out for traffic.”  His son is 24 now.

Anything else? “Be kind to people. I’m working on that second one myself, because I’m not always kind. I’m judgemental and picky. When I order room service and they get it wrong I try so hard to be kind and I fail. ‘But I only asked for three things! How could you get one wrong?’

"Or to the taxi driver: 'How can this be hard? Listen to the address and take me there. Don't you care about your job?'"

Now in his 70's, Garfunkel sees his life with clarity, and he benefits from a review of his own behavior, his own attitude, and his response to others. There's more to life than what happened decades ago when he split with Paul Simon.

Just how hard is it for us to deal with life?  Can we acknowledge, forgive and move on?  Can we choose to be kind? And not just well mannered, but truly kind-hearted?  Imagine the difference it would make if the years were filled with caring about others (he said, preaching to himself as usual).