A Reminder To Be Kind
You have No Idea What They Are Going Though.
This is my actual expression when I get a text or email out of left field. Aside from text messages being a terrible way to communicate, there is usually more to the story. I am more guilty than most, engaging with others in emails and texts, where MOST of the meaning is lost with lack of context, connotation, and inflection. These situation require a delicate hand.
In an effort to better understand others, I wrote this blog to teach myself and my audience how blind we really are in a given situation; especially when its all through text messages. — James
We’ve all heard the saying, “you never know what someone is going through,” but it’s easy to forget when we’re in the middle of our own challenges. The next time you’re feeling frustrated with a situation or another person, remember that everyone is fighting their own battle. Here are three reminders I must return to, of why it’s so important to be kind.
You don’t know what challenges the other person is facing in their life.
We all have our own set of challenges that we’re dealing with, both big and small. And most of the time, we keep those challenges to ourselves. So, when you’re dealing with someone who seems like they’re being difficult, it’s important to remember that you have no idea what they might be going through in their personal life.
They could be struggling with a serious illness, going through a divorce, or dealing with the death of a loved one. Or, they could simply be having a bad day. Remembering that everyone has their own set of challenges can help you have empathy for the other person and see the situation from their perspective.
The other person is probably doing the best they can.
We all have our own unique set of skills and abilities, and we all deal with challenges in our own way. Just because someone doesn’t handle a situation the way you would doesn’t mean they’re not doing the best they can. If you find yourself getting frustrated with someone else’s actions, try to remember that they’re probably just trying to do the best they can given their own skills and abilities. Cut them some slack and try to offer help instead of criticism.
The other person is probably feeling just as frustrated as you are.
When you’re stuck in a frustrating situation, it’s easy to forget that the other person is probably just as frustrated as you are. In fact, they might even be more frustrated than you are! Instead of getting caught up in your own head and assuming that you’re the only one who’s feeling frustrated, try to remember that the other person is likely feeling just as frustrated as you are — if not more so. Putting yourself in their shoes can help diffuse the situation and make it easier to find a resolution.
Note To Self — They may not simply be a jerk, they could be acting out of fear & stress and it manifests in the way they come across.
The next time I find myself in a frustrating situation with another person, I will do my damn best to remember that I have no idea what they might be going through in their personal life. They could be struggling with a serious illness, going through a divorce, or dealing with the death of a loved one — or they could simply be having a bad day. Instead of getting caught up in my own head and assuming that I’m the only one who’s feeling frustrated, try to remember that everyone has their own set of challenges they’re dealing with and that the other person is likely feeling just as frustrated as I am — if not more so. A little patience and understanding can go a long way toward diffusing a difficult situation so that everyone can move on more happily.
