Nice parking, a$%hole
I wonder what the world would be like if we could learn to lead with compassion.
I began to think about this some weeks ago as I left a building where I’d spent the day with my mother in palliative care—the day before she died. I’d arrived in a hurry early that morning after one of my sisters called me in. My mother had had a hard night and we were fearing the worst. I’d parked hastily in the dark, snow-covered visitors’ lot, and hadn’t given another thought to my car all day. Why would I? My mother was dying.
When I left the building after that long and emotionally brutal day, I saw a note tucked into my windshield wiper. In very neat and careful handwriting, someone had written, “Nice parking, asshole.”
It hit me like a punch. I looked down and saw the snow had melted, revealing that I had indeed taken up two spots in the lot. And my car is a big luxury car, perhaps signalling that its driver is a rich, selfish idiot. The note writer had taken those two pieces of information and written an entire story about what a jerk I must be.
Leading with compassion
Imagine if that person had led with compassion. He or she might have paused to consider where we were both parked for the day: outside an assisted living facility. The note writer could have taken this into account and imagined the emotional state in which I had parked (never mind that I couldn’t even see the lines on the pavement for the snow that morning). They could have thought, “What a terrible morning this driver must have had,” rather than “What a jerk.”
Leading with compassion, the note writer might have looked past the price of my car and at its function instead. It’s big, so it’s easy for my elderly parents to get in and out of. There are seat warmers even in the back, so my passengers being ferried to various medical appointments and errands are always comfortable, even in the frigid Ottawa winters. The hatch opens smoothly and the big trunk can fit all manner of wheelchairs and walkers and groceries for multiple households. The car is indeed a luxury, but it’s a practical one, not a status symbol.
Instead, the note writer thought they had me all figured out based on their worst assumptions. “Nice parking, asshole.” Those words stayed with me long after I threw the note out and I drove away. I just couldn’t shake the negativity. I know that I was in an intensely vulnerable state, and I was having an outsized reaction to a relatively small infraction. I just wished that person had given me the benefit of the doubt.
The benefit of the doubt
After some time dwelling on the note, I finally realized the only way to move on was to in turn give the benefit of my own doubt. Whoever needed that visitors’ parking space was suffering too. Were they at the facility visiting a parent, like me? A spouse? A dear friend? Whatever their situation, it couldn’t have been particularly joyful, and in their own vulnerable state, they’d had an outsized reaction to my infraction. I forgave them.
I haven’t forgotten, though. The next day my mother died, and the weeks after that were a blur of grief and terrible errands: to the funeral home, the crematorium, the bank, the lawyers. But now that the immediate chaos of my mother’s death has faded, I’m reflecting on how many people I interacted with on my way to those errands who had no idea that I was saying goodbye to my mother. Who knows how many careless conversations I had, how many times I cut someone off in traffic or seemed distracted or rude? Was I curt when ordering food? I don’t know. I was in a haze.
I hope that the people I intersected with during that time were able to look beyond my behaviour and give me the benefit of the doubt. I hope they could think outside their bubbles and remembered that a good percentage of the people we meet each day are struggling with emotions or circumstances almost too big to carry.
Thank you, note writer
“Nice parking, asshole.” If I knew who’d written this, I would send them a thank-you note today. Am I always patient with people cutting me off or letting a door slam in my face? Absolutely not. And I’m sure I’ll always grapple with my own hasty judgements. But because of that jarring note, I will work to give others the benefit of the doubt and lead with compassion. To the bad parkers, slow talkers, disorganized tellers, scattered healthcare workers, grumpy travellers—I’m sorry for ever assuming the worst about you. I’m extending you the benefit of the doubt and a lot of compassion for whatever challenge, loss, or worry you’re facing today.
Are you able to extend the benefit of the doubt to the people around you, or do you tend to think inside your own bubble? Has anyone ever assumed the absolute worst about you? Do share your experiences!
I am so sorry for your loss Dominique. It is indeed a very trying time and deserves compassion. Your reaction to the note was well placed and how you later analyzed the situation to give the benefit of the doubt to someone who may or may not deserve it surely showed that we must be compassionate and mindful of others at all times. Thank you for bringing me down to reality. Thank you for your thoughtfulness in your time of grieving.
Thank you Barbara. I was touched by your comment. Loss opens our eyes to what is truly important. Wishing you all the best.
This is a very moving blog Dominique, which reminds us all to take pause and be more compassionate – to look for the humanity in others when we see someone falter – rather than rush to judgment. Sending you love and holding space as you remember your beautiful Mom … she certainly passed along her strong values that allow you to turn such a difficult circumstance into a lesson about compassion. Hugs
Lisa, thank you for your support during these times. Your comment gives me pause to reflect too. Mom did model for us what it is to be kind and compassionate and I aspire to follow her example. Speaking of which, you are such a model and I wish you the best with your book and foundation to help bring compassion to the workplace!
Nicely said Dominique. Mes sympathies.
Merci Christian. J’espère que tu vas bien.
I’m sorry for your loss Dominique. Thank you for your blog. It’s an important message that I will remember in my day-to-day encounters.
Hilary
Thank you Hilary. I read your lovely message but could not find words then. Responses like yours encourage me to keep on writing!Take care.
My sincere sympathies Dominique to you and your family.
Having had an opportunity to meet your mom at sculpture exhibit showed me what a beautiful and smart woman she was. I see where you get it from.
Thanks for sharing your feelings and your advice on compassion which we often forget in our chase from one thing to another with no time for retrospective nor compassion for ourselves/others.
Yogi, I wanted to say thank you for your words about my Mom. Also, your comment about us chasing life and not reflecting. So true. A loss does force a person to be still and feel her humanity. Hope you and yours are well. Take care!
How, just wow. I love that you are brave and honest and compassionate Dominique. Thank you for a beautiful reminder of life’s lesson to be good to one another. You are right, we never never know what life’s experiences one has had to make them the way they are… I sometimes think we all need a tattoo on our hand to look down and remind us “HUMAN.” Good days, bad days, anger, hurt, damage, compassion – the works. I am sure my instinct upon reading the note would have been anger. I love your honesty of your hurt (yup…would have been hurt), numbness (could not have dealt with that on top of the grief), and anger. I love where you ended up .. forgiveness. I don’t know if I’d have gotten there without true time to reflect.. and you my dear, do this. Your reflection on these lessons in order to let go – inspiring. This was a great reminder from a woman that practices what she shares…and yay, it gave me something lovely to think about in growth today! xoxo Sending you a beautiful hug on this sunny albeit cold Friday. J
Jules, my reply never made it to the page. life was a blur after losing Mom and witnessing Dad’s last week. Thank you so much for your lovely words. I remember reading them and being moved by your compassion and wise observations. The tattoo sounds like an excellent idea. At birth! Thank you for your encouragement. It is true that writing about these experiences is cathartic and does enable me to let go and grow. Big hug to you wise soul!