I was driving my daughter to school this morning. As I headed east the sun was shining low on the horizon and very brightly in my face. To my right, at the last minute, I noticed a man waiting to cross the street at the crosswalk. He was throwing his hands up as I passed him by. I literally did not see him until I passed as he was gesticulating his discontent. Then I realized multiple cars had passed by before me and also failed to stop for him. I guess he thought we were all just total assholes. But I assure you from each driver's perspective he truly was not visible until it was too late for us to stop and let him cross.
Differences in perspectives. Differences in the experience of reality.
This little incident was like a microcosm of the state of humanity. One person does something unintentionally that negatively impacts or is offensive to another. Wars are started over shit like this on a larger scale. What if I was offended that he was throwing his arms up at me as I drove by him? What if I pulled over and confronted him for offending me, and then he fires back at how I offended him?! Little squabbles can escalate quickly.
Did this guy let it go? Or, is he still walking around today self righteously holding onto his anger, grumbling and telling anyone who will listen how the town is full of assholes who failed to yield to him?
I don't know… But all I can do is try and be more aware of that crosswalk tomorrow morning. Let go of any guilt I might feel about what happened before, and remember when I'm the one waiting to cross that others are usually doing the best they can at the time and are often not being assholes intentionally.