Being a perfect mom, a loving wife, and managing a household while contributing to society is no small task. For Hailey, a mother of several children, peace and quiet are a luxury she rarely experiences. Each day presents a new puzzle, and even the smallest obstacles can have significant consequences.
Learning to Find Patience in Unexpected Places
One morning, on her way to work, Hailey found herself stuck behind a slow-moving car. Frustration built up inside of her, but she managed to remain patient behind the wheel. It wasn’t until she stopped at a red light that she noticed a note in the car’s back window that would change her perspective.
The note said, “Learning stick sorry for any delay.” Hailey was taken aback by this realization. She shared her experience on her blog, Thoughts, Dots and Tots, and described how it transformed her way of looking at the world.
Understanding the Struggles of Others
Hailey’s reflection reads:
“As I was pulling into work, I was following this car. The sign in the back window says, ‘Learning stick sorry for any delay.’ Knowing this information, I was very patient with their slow shifting, and honestly, they were doing pretty well for still learning.
Then I asked myself a tough question: Would I have been just as patient if the sign hadn’t been there? I can almost definitely say no.
We don’t know what someone is going through. We don’t wear signs that illustrate our personal struggles. You don’t see signs taped to people’s shirts that say, ‘Going through a divorce’, or ‘Lost a child’, or ‘Feeling depressed’, or ‘Diagnosed with cancer’. If we could visually understand what those around us are going through, we would definitely be nicer.
But we shouldn’t have to see signs and have reasons to treat strangers with kindness. We should do it anyway, whether we know what is going on or not. Whether they deserve it or not.
Let’s give everyone an extra dose of patience, kindness, and love.”
Responding with Compassion and Kindness
The impact of that handwritten note on the car window was profound for Hailey. Instead of remaining frustrated and annoyed, she chose to take a deep breath and embrace tolerance.
We can all learn from Hailey’s experience. How many times have we been bothered by a bus running late, or someone being rude or short with us, or someone showing up late for a meeting? But really, what does getting angry achieve? It benefits no one. Why not respond with compassion and kindness instead? Both you and those around you will feel better when harmony prevails. Let’s make an effort to breathe deeply and revisit Hailey’s lesson, instead of allowing life’s stresses to overwhelm us.
Please share Hailey’s important words with your friends and family on Facebook so that more people can appreciate them!
