Not long after we moved into our new house, we all got our hiking boots on and set off to climb up the hill at the back of the property. It was one of the main reasons we bought the place – we are right next to a rolling green hill, with tree-lined paths, idyllic for us avid walkers. Not only did we want to climb the hill though, we were also eager to inspect what, from our kitchen window, looked like a tall black monument at the top. The walk was wonderful, but when we reached what we’d assumed was a historical monument, we discovered that it is in fact, a ventilation pipe for an old disused coal mine. The pipe allows the potentially harmful build-up of methane gas to escape the old mine dump.
Although I still love the serenity of our new surroundings, my view of the hill and the ‘monument’ has changed slightly. Both serve as a daily reminder of the snap judgements we so readily make, many of which are negative and based on false assumptions.
My husband was out running the other day and when he got back we started chatting about his route and whether he’d met any other runners or walkers along the way. Although he’d enjoyed the route, he said he did pass one grumpy old man who refused to respond to his chirpy “hello”. The words were barely out his mouth when he said, “on second thoughts, maybe he was deaf?” I said he’d probably had an argument with his wife and needed some fresh air, or he’d heard some bad news.
Whatever the reason for the man’s perceived ‘bad mood’, I was reminded again of the stories we all carry, many of which remain hidden in our hearts and occasionally spill out and impact our world through words and actions.
Rather than make snap judgements about people or circumstances, assuming the worst, let’s rather remember that things are not always as they seem.
Let’s assume the best and give people a chance.