FLIPPED out over getting FLIPPED off!! (A Happy Ending)

[Luckybug66]

 "Oh, get over it," I heard myself say to my daughter as she complained about her little brother copying her.

I guess I should take my own advice, I thought to myself, nearly in tears after getting "flipped off" by another driver.

How come people are so mean, I wondered after it happened.

These strangers, who do these things... get annoyed having to wait in line behind you, or angrily cutting you off in traffic... they have no idea what they are doing to other people.

They have no idea if the people they are making angry comments or gestures to are themselves having a bad day. In fact, I bet a lot of them wouldn't even care. They have anger built up inside and they just need SOMEONE, ANYONE to take it out on.

Anger breeds anger, but it doesn't have to.

So today I reminded myself that when someone gives me "the finger" - that I send back love.

I forgive that person for not being in tune with the fact that I am GRIEVING for the loss of not only four family members who are now dead, but also for the loss of the family routines we had come to make a part of our lives.

I forgive that person for not being able to look beyond their own problems and realize that other people also have problems. Other people make mistakes - but it seems that these people who are ready to crucify you with an angry finger swinging in the air - it seems they believe they NEVER make mistakes.

When my daughter tells yet another woman who helps us at the store, "You're pretty!" I am reminded of how kind words breed love and how ANGRY, MEAN gestures and words can send someone's day tumbling down like a house of cards.

So today, I thank that person for giving me the finger.

I am thankful for these recent lessons reminding me that I REFUSE to be that person being mean to others, but I still send them love because that is the only way I know of to get past the cruelty and still respect myself.

I thank my kids for this reminder because if my kids had not gotten annoyed with each other, I would not have heard myself tell them (and tell myself) to "get over it."

 

[kirstenjoy]

Aug. 27, 2008 at 7:44 PM

umm, so, the lesson is for me too, girlfriend .... me too ....

[Fawn80]

Aug. 27, 2008 at 9:10 PM

In my head, I'm always telling people to "chill out!"  I'm sure, as you've learned so very recently, that life isn't worth living in a hurry, and definately not worth living angry.  It's about living, loving, and giving.  People get so wrapped up that they forget.  And, sometimes, we want to forget.

The next time you encounter this, smile.  Smile REAL big.  They'll either smile back, or they'll think you're crazy.  Either way, I guarantee it won't get to you.  You might even get a chuckle out of it!  ((((Hugs)))) 

[francie024]

Aug. 27, 2008 at 10:59 PM

I feel kinda bad now. Yesterday my DD and I were on our way to the dentist, and I had to turn left into the parking lot. The median is narrow and in order for me to turn left, people had to stop behind me. It was a legal turn and I turned my blinker on and everything. The lady behind me starts HONKING!  But get this: the light up ahead was RED!!!! She wasn't going anywhere. so I wait for the oncoming traffic to pass so I can turn and she finally goes around me and as she passes she turns around and gives me the evil eye.

 

So what did I do? I layed on my horn and gave her the biggest finger I could.

[mimitothree]

Aug. 28, 2008 at 6:44 PM

I always try to think of what anger they must have inside. I always try to let the other guy in, and I most certainly allow others the mistakes they may make knowing I too will do and have done some pretty silly things. I've learned to let go of a lot of things that used to bother me. You must be a really good Mom, rasing a thoughtful and sweet little girl. It's amazing what children can teach us, I still learn things from my kids even though they are adults now.

[pixiestix21]

Sep. 3, 2008 at 11:13 AM A few months ago I had a tailgater that scared me to death almost running into the back of me with my newborn son in the car, I flipped her off (first time EVER using that finger) but I felt HORRIBLE about it later. I wish I could apologize.