We are all doing the best that we can.
It is important for me to remember that.
I cannot park a car. It’s a strange thing, I know. No matter how hard I try to align myself between the two lines, I just can’t seem to do it.
Amanda and I laugh about my clumsiness almost every time I pull into a parking space. We laugh because it is funny. She laughs because she can’t understand it; I laugh because I have accepted it.
I don’t have this type of humor and acceptance in other areas of my life. Generally speaking, if you laugh at me, I get mad and insecure. I feel attacked and threatened and I look for ways to hit back. I see laughter as a way of you calling me stupid.
It’s a funny thing- if I see you take up two parking spots, I just assume you are an asshole who thinks they are better than everyone else and deserves more space. However, if you smile and tell me that you just don’t know how to park and you are trying your best, then we are kindred spirits and I can laugh about the whole thing.
Just a little bit of acceptance based upon the intention of someone else can have a dramatic effect on my attitude towards that person or situation.
It’s important for me to remember that we are all doing our best. Yes, people can be very frustrating, egotistical, arrogant, and rude, but that is all in a misdirected attempt to be loved and accepted.
So remember, yes, the guy that takes up two parking spots might be an arrogant asshole who thinks he deserves more room, but maybe he is just a crappy driver who really doesn’t want to offend anyone…he just doesn’t know how to park.
Your feelings about It probably won’t affect the driver, but they will affect you.
The deliberate manufacturing of frustration is a product that will never run out of supply.
Peace, Love, and all things Beef related,
Beefcake