Some of my anger comes from lack of vision. For the longest time I could only see things from my point of view…
Example: I’m driving down the road, at just the right speed might I add. What speed might that be? What ever speed I’m going. Someone passes me, they’re going too fast. I pass someone, they’re going too slow.
It turns out everyone has their own point of view. Perhaps the person driving slower than me is, new in town, lost, trying to find an address. What if the person driving faster than me just found out a loved one was admitted to the ER, clinging to life.
Here’s another: Driving down the road, I see someone walking head-on into traffic, and not very steady on his feet. Obviously a homeless person, drunk, stoned out of his mind, or both. I yell “Get out of the street you fucking moron!” (fictional situations). But maybe he’s a mental patient, or suffering a heart attack, or going into a diabetic coma?
I try my best to play one of these scenarios in my head whenever someone cuts me off in traffic. Sure, maybe the guy is a total asshole. My getting angry won’t change things, and I’ll never know why he cut me off. Good, bad, who’s to decide. Not me. Just say no to road rage.
It’s a simple concept, yet it eluded me for years. If you’re anything like me, I hope this helps to open your eyes just a bit. You don’t have to walk a mile in their shoes, just see things from their point of view.
Show's over folks.
BARACK OBAMA, The President Of The United States Of America
"Has anyone seen my panties?"
"Has anyone seen my rude little pig, er, um, I mean my daughter?"
"Hey, does anyone want to go out after the show for burgers and drinks?"
"Pssst... hey O. J.... you're a piece of SHIT!!!"
"You could be."
April 21, 2008 at 2:31 pm |
It’s good that you were able to come to this epiphany especially because you drive for a living. That would suck if you were all stressed and flustered all day. My hubby is in the same line of work. We talk about this sometimes. He would have had a heart attack by now if he let every stupid mother fucker get under his skin. Good for you Peter!
GOLD!
I’m gonna have to give all the credit to my sweet, loving, angel of a wife.
She’s good. She’s an angel, it’s required. 
Peter Parkour
June 17, 2008 at 8:41 am |
This is a wonderful exercise, trying to see things from other people’s points of view. You have garnered much wisdom, my friend. I was just lamenting the other day how sad it is that we get all this wisdom and a better view of priorities later in life when we really could use them when we are younger.
The age old saying “youth is wasted on the young” is all too true.
Peter Parkour