There are few things in life that frustrate me to the point that my fuse runs out.

One of… There are few things in life that frustrate me to the point that my fuse runs out.

One of them is my brother. My parents reminisce about a time when I was just learning to speak and I was sitting in our little red wagon with him. There I was, minding my own business when my brother, who is two years older than me, did something that really ticked me off. I grabbed the collar of his shirt in my shaking, chubby little fist and yelled:

“Johnny Popsicle, you make me so mad!”

It didn’t help matters when my family erupted into laughter at my confusion of our last name. Come on, it’s a tough last name for anyone, let alone a 2-year-old, to pronounce correctly.

But that’s typically the response I get when I lash out in frustration. I am rarely taken seriously, because of my normally laid-back demeanor, and oftentimes people think I’m joking when I finally snap. A word to the wise — I’m not.

It’s always seemed as if I am not allowed to get upset in the same manner as others. If my sister gets upset and cries, you do not try to hug her. If any one of my roommates is irritated, you walk on eggshells and ignore it. Not with me. If I display the slightest signs of getting testy, I am jokingly dubbed my alter ego “Jessica Cranky,” and endlessly teased until the mood lifts.

Ultimately — although I can’t believe I’m going to admit it — this doesn’t bother me that much, per se. I mean, sure, I would love to be allowed to get frustrated in peace, maybe even the occasional fear of my wrath would be nice. But I have to remind myself that the fact that I am approachable and consolable even in my worst states shows that I am typically an open and understanding person.

When people get frustrated to the extent that they channel it by being mean to others, they have way too much time on their hands. Don’t get me wrong, obviously I feel that everyone has the right to reach the end of his fuse, but the minute he starts taking it out on the people around him, the problem has multiplied, and feelings have been hurt. I find that it is often the people closest to the frustrated person who receive the brunt of his anger. You can’t take back hurtful words, and your friends don’t forget them.

Jessica Cranky usually makes short visits and exits just as quickly as she arrives, anyway. This is typically because I am reminded that whatever has frustrated me so badly is a minuscule problem in the grand scheme of things. I realize that things could be much worse, and I tell Jessica Cranky to get over herself and take a hike.

But, as I said, I only get severely frustrated when I have the time to spend the energy on it. Because my fuse has been getting shorter and shorter lately, I had to realize that despite the fact that I am essentially “busy” — work, class, work — I am only spending time on myself. Sure, I make time to occasionally go out with my friends and spend quality time with my roommates and family, but I am not doing anything to help others who really need it.

What better reminder could there be of how easy you really have it than by helping others who don’t? I have reached the point where I need to be reminded of my humanity, and what better time to find a way to help than during the holiday season?

So, look around campus for ways to curb your frustration as finals are quickly approaching. No excuses about being a poor college student yourself, because we are privileged to be receiving an education at one of the finest institutions in the nation, no matter how we have to pay it off.

First, I have one of the easiest ways to benefit others around our area. Campbell’s Chunky Soup sponsors an annual “Click for Cans” competition. All you have to do is go to the Chunky’s Web site and vote for the Pittsburgh Steelers — whether you’re a Steelers fan or not! We are currently in second place, and the team that gets the most votes will receive one can of Chunky soup per pound of their weight to be donated to a local food bank. That’s about 300 cans per linebacker.

And finally, there are many, many groups here at Pitt who are helping others during the holiday season. With so many options, you’ll be sure to find something that sparks your interest. Don’t be afraid to try something new — it’ll help you remember why your negative energy is a waste of time.

So, lose that frustration, kick the crankiness to the curb and use your energy to help others.

E-mail Jessica at [email protected] to find out how you can help this holiday season.