i had to drop off a package and a letter at usps
today, but i knew the line was going to be stupid long. trying to beat the
line, i went to the next door food lion to purchase a stamp for my card as my
package already had the shipping label. i pull into the parking lot and a lady
pulls in (from the opposite side) into the spot adjacent to me as i was getting
out. i thought it was inconsiderate, considering i was opening my door before
she began to pull-thru.
fast forward to when i’m in food lion. i ask a worker at the counter if they sold stamps, she said yes but was unsure if they sold them as singles. she said most likely i’ll have to buy a book or a sheet, but she wanted to make sure so she asked a coworker at a nearby check out lane. turns out, the customer she was checking out bought a sheet of stamps. she looked at me and told me she would give me one. as she concludes her transaction, she walks to me and gives me a stamp. i attempt to hand her 75 cents, but she told me she doesn’t want it. i responded by saying i would feel bad if she didn’t take it. she gave me a stamp and wished me a merry christmas. i wished her one back, too and walked to the car smiling because of her kind gesture. what’s ironic about this, is she was the lady who had parked in the spot right next to me when i got to the store. i saw her again and wished her a happy holidays before heading to the post office to skip the line and drop off my package and letter.
it made me question how i assess situations. of course she meant no harm by pulling through and parking next to me, in fact, she may not have even seen me open the door, but i let it upset me by taking it personal. we often times cloud our judgement by assumptions because we lack context and factual information to correctly read situations which lets me know patience can go a long way in this life. patience can lead to acceptance, to understanding, and even to the holiday spirit if you let it.
-ratha, 1:26pm, 12.23.19