No one says you need to bring a cold water to a person on the street on a hot day. You certainly don’t have to slow down let that car cut in front of you on the freeway as you watch his blinker signal flash on and off. And you most definitely don’t need to apologize profusely after one of your passengers in your vehicle (even though you just told them to be careful 15 seconds prior) opened their door in parking lot and hit the car next to you – as the driver gets out of her vehicle and is cussing you out.
You have every right to go about your business and justify staying in your lane (literally and figuratively), shouting back and ignoring that human being as they stare at you with their “anything helps” sign written on tattered cardboard.
We tend to justify our behavior to suit our needs rather than pull back the zoom and look at the big picture. I know I do. Often times I also know what it feels like to be the person to let that car cut in front of me. I’m not a hero because of it. But, the idea of letting go can be.
The moment I change my tune from, “What’s in it for me?” to “How may I serve?” my world changes around me for the better.
Guaranteed.