Last week, I witnessed a truck blaze through a red light. Thankfully, no other vehicles were crossing at that moment, so the truck just sailed on by. It was a jarring sight, but it was clearly an error—out-of-state plates, no speeding, and a quick brake tap right after the light. The driver likely experienced a panic moment, realizing his mistake. He was probably feeling shaken or at least frustrated with himself for being so distracted.
However, the woman in the car ahead of me had a completely different reaction. Her face contorted with rage as she flung her arms into the air and nearly leaned out the window, gesturing violently at the truck that was already out of sight. For the remainder of the time we waited at the light, she continued her tirade, all alone in her car. It made me ponder: what must her demeanor be like in everyday life? Is she perpetually on edge and unhappy?
Yes, the truck ran a red light, and had there been another vehicle present, it could have ended badly. But let’s face it—accidents happen, and they’re rarely intentional. Very few people wake up thinking, “I’m going to do something reckless that will annoy a bunch of strangers today!”
That woman’s outburst got me reflecting on the rudeness and impatience I often see around me. As a writer, I share my parenting mishaps and personal stories, hoping they resonate with others. For every supportive comment I receive, there seems to be a counterpoint: “This was a waste of my time,” or “You shouldn’t be a parent.”
I notice it everywhere: the grocery store shopper dramatically sighing as the cashier takes a moment too long, or the diner snapping at a server over a minor order mistake. What does this accomplish? Absolutely nothing. Anger won’t remove the pickles from your sandwich, speed up a slow cashier, or enhance anyone’s driving skills. All it does is spread negativity, ruining precious moments of your day—and likely someone else’s too. Why waste our limited time feeling irritable over things we can’t control?
I’m not claiming I’m immune to frustration. I don’t float through life on a cloud of positivity. But when I feel that impatience creeping in, I consciously choose to practice compassion. I try to step into the other person’s shoes and give them the benefit of the doubt. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential.
Let’s extend a little grace to each other. Everyone—be it you, me, your doctor, or your local barista—is just human. We all have off days and struggle for reasons we might never know. Yes, someone’s moment of weakness may inconvenience us, but remember: we’ve all been in that position before. When you’re the one inadvertently causing a hassle, would you prefer understanding or anger?
Since my children were young, I’ve encouraged them to pause before reacting and think about three words: “help or hurt?” Will their response improve the situation or simply hurt someone? If it won’t help, they should take a cue from Elsa and let it go. The world sorely needs more empathy and kindness. It echoes the age-old wisdom: If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
And just a thought: if you believe this was the “most pointless article ever,” that’s perfectly valid—you’re entitled to your opinion. But maybe, just maybe, keep it to yourself and move on.
For more insights on parenting and navigating life’s little challenges, check out one of our other blog posts on cutting each other some slack. Also, if you’re considering at-home insemination, I highly recommend checking out this reputable retailer for syringe kits. And for helpful information about pregnancy, visit March of Dimes for week-by-week guidance.
In summary, let’s approach each other with kindness and understanding. We all have our moments, and a little compassion can go a long way in making the world a better place.