How we, humans, affect each other

You start your day as you always do. Before leaving the house you listen to some elevating music as you take a colorful breakfast that will get you through the first part of your day.

You shine you shoes whistling to a melody which you brain dug up to fit your present light mood.

After getting your self into comfortable pants and a matching jacket.
You open the door to your apartment and saunter down the stairs still humming the some tune.
A click of a door handle following by the squeaking of unoiled hinges make you stop. The harsh nature of these combined sounds drown out the beautiful tune playing in you head.
The door opens and a pale face with drooping features makes its appearance.
Your eyes scan each crease and each discolored spot and send these signals to your brain to process them.
Your brain stops the tune, identifies the face as a neighbor called "John", and starts playing another tune, one that fits the John's appearance.
Unaware of the change that has just occurred inside your brain, you utter a amiable "Hi".
John returns your greeting before starting to complain about his life.
you stand there as a passive receiver of an endless tirade, without trying to steer the conversation into something more upbeat.
Feeling relieved after unloading his worries, John wishes you a nice day, locks his apartment and leaves the building.
You feel tired, your mood has plummeted and your stomach is upset.
We are sponges, we yield and absorb, but unlike sponges we have the ability to choose what to soak up.
A Sponge dipped in sewage will give off a disagreeable smell and if we dip the same sponge in rose water it will give off a pleasant aroma