Being a wonderful mother, loving wife, and running a functioning home while also contributing to society is no easy task.
Add to that being a mother of multiple children, and serenity and quiet are rarely terms that can be used in the same sentence to describe daily life.
Hailey understands this all too well. Every day is a new challenge for her, and even the tiniest impediments can have far-reaching effects.
One day, Hailey was on her way to work when she got stuck behind a very slow-moving car. It took all of her restraint not to lose her temper behind the wheel.
After all, Hailey was in a hurry, and didn’t have time to sit idly behind a car that was going below the recommended speed for the road.
It wasn’t until Hailey was delayed behind that automobile at a red light that she noticed the letter in the back window.
After reading the lines, she felt compelled to relate her story on her blog, Thoughts, Dots and Tots. Hailey believes it impacted her perspective on the world.
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 in the window clearly left a lasting impact on Hailey. She could easily have remained frustrated and annoyed behind the wheel, but instead she took a deep breath and chose the route of tolerance.
We should all try to think a little more like Hailey
How many times have we been irritated by the fact that the bus is late, that someone is impolite or short when speaking to us, or that someone is late to a meeting?
And to what end? Getting furious is futile; it serves no purpose. Why not show them compassion and kindness instead?
Harmony will make you and those around you happier. If only we could take a deep breath and remember Hailey’s lesson rather than allowing life to worry us.
Please SHARE Hailey’s essential remarks with your friends and family on Facebook so that more people can benefit from them!
