Seek first to understand.....

At the airport this morning, I checked in and waited for the representative to give me a tag for my luggage.  I turned around and a customer waiting for the next representative looked at me and said, "Ma'am, the line starts back here."  I smiled and said, "Oh thanks, but I've already checked in.  Just waiting for a bag tag. Thanks, though."  He rolled his eyes and said, "I'm just saying----the line starts back here."  Hmmmm.....ignore him or try to make a point?  Dilemma #1.  The representative pulled my bag tag off the computer, tagged my bag, and said, "Thank you, ma'am, you're good to go," then looked at the man trying to take care of my business and said, "Sir, you need to come over here first."  I decided to take the high road and said politely to the man, "I hope you have a nice day" to which he replied in an extremely ugly voice,

 "You are just a little person." 

Well, now, that is absolutely true----at 5'3", I am not super-model material (as if the height issue was the only thing keeping me back from that career path!) by any stretch, but really? 
I truly had to think about the fact that I had just taught two days of workshops on communicating ---- thinking about what we say before we say it, etc.  --- because every ounce of my being wanted to say something hurtful. 

It only took a minute of walking away from him to realize that he was frustrated and embarrassed by finding out he had assumed incorrectly and he couldn't think of anything else to save face besides something derogatory.  just like kids in schools who get "caught" and have to save face, we will often lash out (even if it doesn't make sense) just to avoid having to eat crow. I understand that; I'm certain I've done it myself.

But the next step is the doozy:  I have to let it go!! He was rude, and his behavior was unacceptable.  BUT....what am I going to gain by stewing about it the rest of the day?  Not a thing!  Instead, I made my way to the nearest fountain diet coke, got seated and the gate, prayed for him, and began reading my book.

I hope his day gets better.  Mine will.....if I just let go of the little stuff.

Just for today.....take a moment to think about not making assumptions about people or situations and take things one day at a time....maybe even one