Do you do this too? It’s complete insanity…
The other day I was driving to pick up the kids from school when a U-Haul truck zoomed from outer space and decided to get within a foot of my bumper.
Um, I’m not a slow driver AND I was driving in the slow lane.
This Jackass cuts over to the other lane and proceeds to weave in and out of traffic. All I could think about was what a total dickwad this guy was being. As I watched the doofus speed down the road, I had his whole jerky life pinned down: a self-centered young kid that doesn’t think about others and needlessly takes risks.
Yep, I know the type.
We finally stopped at a light where I came up right next to the U-Haul. Indeed…he looked rather young. I nailed him, I thought.
Then, he rolled down his window, motioned to a homeless guy to come over (the same guy that I pass 15 times a day and try to not make eye contact with), and gave him a bill. Was it a dollar? Five? Twenty?
I wouldn’t even venture a guess, since I clearly misjudged the guy.
This angel of a “jackass” reminded me how much we make up our own stories. And often these stories aren’t even true. We pick the meaning, tone, motivation, and sentiment all on our own, without knowing the truth.
After our story is complete, we then go over it a few hundred times in our heads completely aggravating the hell out of ourselves.
How completely insane! STOP THE MADNESS!
So, the next time you start filling in the blanks and creating your own story for an event, remember my U-Haul guy. There is always more that meets the eye.
wow, that’s really powerful!
Thank you :) There are always people out there to keep us on our toes!
Love this post, and yes, I do this, too. Sometimes in a good way, imagining good stories about people. But sometimes, not so good. I have seen this quote and I try to go back to it when I want to make a judgement or negative assumption about someone:
“Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting
some kind of battle.”
― T.H. Thompson and John Watson
Thanks for reminding me today! =)
Oh, that is a good one! And, yes, sometimes I use my “story telling” abilities for good purposes – like when the check out person is totally crabby and giving attitude and I imagine they just broke up with their boyfriend!
Jeanne,
I really enjoyed your quote. I was once on a bus tour of Europe in the 90s, and there was a guy (and his friends) who was really getting on my nerves. One night in Northern Italy, I told the guy that his looks reminded me of Chris Isaak (a compliment), but what I had meant to say was that his looks reminded me of Chris Elliott (an insult). He instantly became my best friend, and his whole group, and my whole group got along fantastically for the rest of the trip.
“Be kinder than necessary” I learned an important life lesson that day. Thanks for the reminder too.
And thank you Lina for another fantastic story about how we see the world. I will remember your U-haul guy.
That is a great story! I can’t stop laughing! That guy probably still thinks of you when he sees a Chris Isaak video. It is amazing what spreading a little kindness will do.
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It’s hard to be neutral when encountering a person. We are the sum of our experiences – and those shade our expectations. I like you suggest remembering the U-Haul guy. Good plan. Nice post
Thank you…I completely agree with you. Kind of like the “eye witness” – 20 people can perceive the same thing 20 different ways!