Let’s Make the World a Kinder Place, Starting in Your Own Backyard

You never know what is happening in another person’s life. Perhaps if we all thought this way,  we would be more resistant to other’s behavior that too quickly becomes an irritation. Now, if a person’s behavior is dangerous, that is another story. Then it is time to get irritated and get some help while you’re at it! But, I’m talking about the small irritations with your neighbors, with drivers, with friends and even family members.

I got a call that my husband was stranded because his bike broke down. Driving down Talbryn on my way to find him, I got a text. I stopped and pulled over on this small residential road to make sure it wasn’t from my husband. It wasn’t. Before I could start driving again, a man in a car behind me honks. I simply continue driving my car but the exchange is not over, not according to this guy who got irritated because he had to wait probably less than 5 seconds. He yells and swears at me. Now, I’m rattled because I have to find my husband on some road a few miles away plus this impatient driver who couldn’t wait a few seconds is trying to ruin my day. I yell back that he needs to show some patience but he continues to rage on. All I could do was sigh and think about how small Belmont is and that someone most likely living in my neighborhood cannot even show compassion to another neighbor. He didn’t take the time to ask if I was okay. Instead, it became all about him and how, on a Sunday morning, he can’t get down Talbryn fast enough to do what he wants to do.

I thought, perhaps he had an emergency, too, that a friend or family member needed his help and he needed to drive somewhere quickly. But then why would he rant if he had other, more important concerns on his mind? Nah, he just wanted to take his aggression out on someone and I was there to do it.

Take the time to think about why someone is doing what they’re doing. You may be surprised and at the very least, less annoyed.