Flipping ‘the bird’

I saw a woman flip a guy in a car the bird today.

The driver had his nose out as he was attempting to pull out from a parking lot into traffic.

The bird flipping woman stopped abruptly in front of his car, indignant that he was blocking the sidewalk. After giving him a piece of her mind with wild hand gestures, she turned on her heel and marched off with said arm and finger extended behind her.

She had a young girl with her, presumably her daughter.

My initial reaction was rather harsh – terrible behaviour to be displaying to her daughter. This is why we have kids who treat their peers with less respect than they show their pet. She is what is part of what is wrong with our society.

I’m a privileged woman. I have beautiful people in my life who inspire me with their grace, compassion and love. My twenties ushered forth people who have helped, supported, loved me at every turn. The times in my life where I have been met with criticism, mocking and judgement, I have been more likely to feel embittered, angry and resentful. Not exactly the building blocks of change and transformation.

I am a product of what has been imparted to me. The angry woman I saw today – obviously not one of her better days. But maybe it hasn’t been a kind life either. I’m not making excuses for her behaviour, we all have the choice to be an ass or have some class. I have just come to realize that some of us have a steeper mountain to climb than others. I don’t want to be a part of what hinders another person’s journey by the spirit of judgement that is so willing to ascend its lofty throne whenever presented the opportunity.