When the time comes to choose how to be toward others. Be kind.
You never know what’s truly going on in someone’s life. It takes emotional maturity to give them space and understanding.
Some time ago I was driving down the road and noticed an old business partner had sped up to tail me for a bit. It did not previously end cordially with this guy. I ended up having to take him to court because of his actions. Despite me hearing through the grapevine that he tells his friends “he won,” he ended up writing me a five figure check. Winners don’t write checks.
I haven’t spoken to him since and I never think about him. Despite what he did I decided it was best to not tell my customers, and not let it affect me moving forward. After tailing me for a bit on the road he started blasting his horn as he drove past. Why?
What was going through his head to make him do this? Is he facing his own insecurities? Is he unhappy with his life? Is it a showing of some type of attempted male superiority? This is a man, not a child. What’s he thinking?
A few days later it happened again. He was behind me on the road and after I made my turn he started blasting his horn at me.
My first reaction when this guy pulls this is “wow what a jerk!” I figure he’s trying to intimidate me, maybe? But what if it’s something else? What if he can’t process his emotions? What if the past left a sour taste in his mouth so bad he can’t face the truth of his actions? What if he’s going through personal hardships with his business or his family or he’s struggling to feel his worth as a man?
Regardless of what this guy did to me, of what he did to my business, and how he still acts, Ive taught myself to be kind toward him. I haven’t always been good at this. I’ve had to realize my shortcomings many times. I’ve had to remind myself that this guy has value as a person. He can achieve great things and do a great deal of good for the world.
Remember you never truly know what someone else is facing. When you have the ability to choose how to treat someone… Choose to be kind.
