Thursday, January 20, 2011

Giving people the benefit of the doubt

On my way home from work today, I came very close to getting into a car accident when a lady pulled out right in front of me on a busy street (hence I was going about 40 mph). As I slammed on the brakes and honked the horn simultaneously, the lady quickly realized and pulled into the other lane. And then she slowed down her car, and mouthed the words "I'm sorry" to me. I nodded and smiled and said "It's okay" and we continued on our way. And it made me realize, so often when someone cuts us off or nearly causes an accident, we are quick to think "What an idiot!" or at the very least "What a terrible driver!" When in reality most of the time those kinds of things are a mistake. I make mistakes too, I've unintentionally cut people off or pulled in front of someone before. So from now I (and I already try to do this a lot anyway) I'm just going to assume it was a mistake and not think badly of the other driver or get mad. We all make mistakes.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this. It is a good reminder. I nearly killed us all from a simple mistake the other day. I was entering the freeway and trying to pass a mac truck. I checked my rear view mirror and also looked over my shoulder but didn't see the car that was coming up on me and just missed hitting it as I came over. I was thanking God for sparing us. I had five of my kids and my grandson with me and was shaking at the near miss and the obvious hand of the Lord over us. Blessings to you and thanks again. Perspective is so important....understanding, and as you said; giving others the "benefit of the doubt."