Paying it Forward

While circling my local Target parking lot the other day searching for a parking spot. I saw someone leaving right at the end of the aisle (is that even the right word?) and waited patiently with my turn signal on so that I could pull in once they left.

The person leaving backed out and as I was pulling up to park someone swooped in & parked there. I was outraged. Furious. Lucky for her there was another car leaving a little further up the aisle. But seriously, I was ready to roll down my window & let her have it.

The she stepped out of the car & threw her hands up & and shrugged.

I think I may have seen red and white dots. Which also could have been the Target sign looming ahead of me. Either way, I was hot!

I did what any other normal female on a mission to get in, get her lunch & get out would do. I steamed about it. I ended up walking in behind the girl and visualizing tripping her on the way in.

I thought about how ugly people get at the holidays. Cutting lines, stealing parking spots, being rude, being impatient, not sharing a kind word.

Then I slowed down and asked myself this question.

If I hate how people act am I any better by getting mad about someone taking my space. Sure, it's annoying, but in the grand scheme, how important is it really? Would I have found another space? Indeed, and I did.

Might I have had to walk a little further to go inside? Sure, but would it kill me?

I thought back to Whitney's post on Good Will Grace and realized that this was a small way I could pay it forward. Instead of telling this girl to "have a nice day" (in the most un-nice way) I could let it go & move on.

When a woman cut in line the other day, I graciously stepped aside.

When an older woman takes longer to unload her groceries than Moses did parting the Red Sea, I smile at her & offer to help.

Am I paying it forward in the way that Whitney wrote about? Maybe not.

Am I paying it forward in my own way. Most definitely.

So my question to you, how are you paying it forward? Think about this question this holiday season the next time you start to get irritated with how self-centered people can be.