Who Do You See?

A Quiet Moment from Where Gratitude Grows.

A clerk is short with you. She seems distracted, maybe even annoyed that you need her help.

Do you see someone who is rude?

Or do you wonder if she has a headache? If she missed her lunch break? If her child’s school just called? If the customer before you yelled at her?

Someone cuts you off in traffic and flips you off.

Do you let their anger become yours?

Or do you wonder what could be happening in their life that has them so angry in the first place?

You pass someone living on the street. They look tired and dirty. Maybe angry. Maybe drunk.

Do you look away?

Or do you wonder who loves them? If someone is searching for them? What happened in their life that brought them here?

The truth is, we rarely know what happened before our paths crossed with someone else’s.

I believe we arrive here with love in our hearts. Life, fear, hurt, ignorance and our experiences can change the way we move through the world.

Maybe that’s why I’ve always been curious about the why behind people.

And I’ve discovered something along the way.

Wondering why doesn’t just help me give other people more grace. It makes me happier, too. Their anger doesn’t have to become mine.

I can look people in the eye.

I can say hello.

I can choose to see the person instead of only the behavior.

The next time someone rubs you the wrong way, before deciding who they are, ask yourself:

What don’t I know?

You are always welcome here.

🌿WGG