Typically, when we are upset with someone, it is not because of their actions but because of how we interpret their actions.
For example, if someone cuts you off in traffic, the action of them cutting you off is not what makes you angry.
I know this because if someone cuts you off and you know the reason is their son was in an accident and they are rushing to get to him, not only would you not be angry, you would hold up traffic to let them get through.
The action isn’t what triggers the emotion, the meaning we give to the action what makes us upset.
When someone cuts us off in traffic, the reason we get angry is because we label that person as rude, inconsiderate, reckless, etc. The reality is we don't KNOW, we ASSUME this.
For all we know, they are the usually the most considerate driver on the planet and we just caught them on a bad day. For all we know, there IS an emergency that is causing them to be in a rush. For all we know, their problems or their need to get to their destination is greater than ours and if we knew their story we would be gracious and understanding.
Because we don’t know their intentions, we have a choice on what we choose to assume. We can choose to assume the worst or we can choose to assume the best. Which choice is going to give you the best outcome? Lead to you having the best day? Bring the most happiness into your life?
The act of choosing to assume the best in others is called making a generous assumption. We can choose to make generous assumptions every day, not just with strangers but with the people closest to us. If you can train your mind to always focus on other's best possible intentions instead of assuming the worst, it will dramatically elevate your quality of life.
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