Offended?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how to think differently about the people who offend me. Mostly, I want to think differently about them because I don’t like the feelings I get when I get offended; pissy, arrogant, and wanting to smack, slap, slug or kick someone or something. 

In short, when I believe someone is at fault, that their behavior ought to be something other than it is, and there is no, “Oh, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…” then I take offense. 

Taking offense seems to be a natural first response to some things.

For instance, just the other morning, I went for a bike ride. I chose a route that took me along a well used bike, jogging, walking pathway. Most of the people who use this pathway are conscientious of others and we make room for one another by staying on the side of the path and not walking down the middle. But then, there are those who are not conscientious.

I encountered a person such as this as I was riding along. I came around a corner and there was a lady in a purple bathrobe, slippers and three ILDs (icky little dogs) at various points on the path. Not only that, there are two other bikers coming toward her in the opposite direction of me. 

Seeing the potential for an accident, I slow my bike down, but my mind is going a million miles an hour. “You’ve gotta be kidding me. Does this woman not know that you don’t do this on this pathway? The only worse thing would be if she were getting ready to flick a cigarette at one of us.” 

I let the other bikers pass, and then, as I pass by the woman I simply say, “It’s a busy pathway.” I heard a nervous laugh coming from her as I whizzed by. 

After that, I got off the path and headed toward a wider county roadway where I have plenty of space not only for myself, but also to think about that woman.

She may have been new to the area. Maybe visiting relatives or renting one of the homes along the path for a summer break. The thing is, I don’t know her story. I just know that she was where I was and for a moment in time, our paths crossed. Did I need to let her ignorance or her seemingly ignorant behavior derail my day? I decided that no, I didn’t. 

I was surprised by my thought and how it made me feel. I didn’t feel pissy, arrogant, and wanting to smack, slap, slug or kick someone or something. 

Why Bother?

Why bother thinking differently about those who offend us? Thinking differently about those who offend us just might make us a little less offendable. And I’m thinking that being a little less offendable is a good thing.

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who, like me, know they want to change, but are not quite sure where to start. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.