Monday, December 27, 2010

Is It Worth It? REALLY?

To the woman in the parking lot who gave me a hard time because she had to wait all of 3 seconds to get past my cart:  was it worth it?  Was it worth trying to make me feel like crap because you were inconvenienced?  You saw that I had my kids with me, that I was trying to put my groceries in my car as quickly as I could.  You saw that it was crowded in the parking lot.  Did you REALLY need to start an argument with me about the placement of my cart?  Did you REALLY need to try and get the last word in?  I can tell you are at least as old as I am, probably a couple of years older, which means you have been on this planet for at least 40 years.  Have you REALLY learned nothing in all that time?  No one ever taught you manners?  Or is it that you are wealthy and entitled and used to people bowing and scraping and moving out of your way, so when someone doesn't, you have to try and demean them?  In front of their kids?
REALLY?!?!?!?!

Perhaps I should thank you.  You gave me a teachable moment for my kids:  that there are many rude people out there who don't give a damn about anyone other than themselves. That in this time of "good will toward men," there are many who Just. Don't. Get. It.  And never will. Who build themselves up by cutting others down.  Who are selfish.  And are complete jerks about it, to boot.

And that, for the most part, people are NOT like that.  People can be kind, generous, and patient.  Even if they are annoyed, they will NOT take it out on someone else.  They WILL wait, even if they're seething, and go on their way because they understand that we are all just trying to get through the day.  As for the others, well, always remember that what goes around comes around.  As you reap, so shall you sow.  That karma is real.  The way you treat others will come back to you, eventually.

So I ask again:  is it worth it?

5 comments:

The Merry said...

I just ran across a quote that I would love to send to that woman. Maybe she'll read your blog.

Novelist Oren Arnold had the following Christmas gift suggestions: "To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."

azusmom said...

Beautiful! Thank you!

azusmom said...

Beautiful! Thank you!

Charlotte said...

Oh wow have I been there! I remember getting yelled at for pretty much the same reason at Wal-Mart a few years ago - I was pushing my cart out the front door and my then-1-yr-old accidentally head-butted me right between the eyes. It hurt SO BAD. I saw stars. And he was screaming bloody murder. And the woman behind us instead of, oh, doing something helpful yelled at me for blocking the entrance and rammed her cart in to me. I started crying. Not my finest hour. I think you handled it very well. Kudos to you for keeping your cool and using it as a teaching experience for your kiddos!

azusmom said...

Wow What a kind-hearted, generous soul THAT lady was!!!!! Geez!