Being a great mom, a loving wife, and keeping a household running smoothly while also making a difference in society is tough. Add being a mom to multiple kids, and peace and quiet hardly come easy in daily life.
One person who understands this well is Hailey. For her, each day is like solving a new puzzle, where even the smallest obstacles can have significant consequences.
One day, Hailey was rushing to work when she found herself stuck behind a slow-moving car. Despite her impatience, she managed to keep her cool behind the wheel.
It wasn’t until she stopped behind the car at a red light that she noticed a note in the back window. After reading it, she felt compelled to share her experience on her blog, Thoughts, Dots, and Tots, realizing it changed her perspective on the world.
In her post, Hailey reflected on how knowing the driver was learning stick shift made her more patient. She realized that people don’t always show their struggles visibly, and if we could see them, we would likely be kinder.
Here’s what she wrote:
“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 read visually 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.”
The handwritten note had a profound impact on Hailey, leading her to choose patience over frustration. She encouraged others to do the same, emphasizing the importance of treating strangers with kindness, regardless of their circumstances.
Reflecting on Hailey’s experience, it’s a reminder for all of us to be more understanding and compassionate. Instead of getting upset over minor inconveniences, why not respond with empathy and kindness? It benefits everyone involved and brings more harmony to our lives.