Dang, I hate it when I have to go back, retract, reframe and make amends because I didn’t make the best choice to begin with! So let me tell you a parking lot, semi-truck love note NOT story — how I handled it and how I needed to do a do-over.
I have a big, beautiful building that I’m so proud of, and I take GREAT pride in keeping it nice inside and out. I want it to be a place filled with love, color and hopeful energy. Lately, big truck drivers, especially those really large rigs, have been parking overnight and leaving big oil circles on my pavement. Worse, I learned my lot isn’t even designed for those trucks, so over time they’ll cause damage. This has been going on for months, and I failed to properly address it.
So, what went wrong? Well… here’s the truth.
At 5 a.m., on my way to the gym, I saw yet another big rig. My 4-foot-nothing self whipped my Jeep into the lot, ready to confront the driver. Not my smartest move — please don’t tell my daughter, who thinks I never err on the side of caution! When he didn’t come out, I left him a note, and y’all it was NOT one of my love notes.
Bad Decision #1: My note said, “This is not truck parking, you will be towed. – Karen, Owner.”
Bad Decision #2: I posted a picture of the truck with the company name on Facebook. I didn’t say anything cruel, but my intention wasn’t the Sunday school version of me. The responses didn’t feel the same as when I’ve asked for help in a spirit of kindness.
The driver left me a not-so-kind note in return, but that’s not the real issue. The issue is me, or more specifically, my reaction.
Here’s where I went wrong, I didn’t respond with kindness or peace. I reacted with frustration. I could have left an informational, respectful note instead of an aggressive one. Posting the truck on Facebook? Completely against my personal policy, my life principles and everything I stand for. Nothing positive could come of it, so down it came.
The truth is, in the grand scheme of things, “How important is it?” Not very. What IS important is that I treat people with respect and kindness. That I never harm or shame a group of people. That I live by my own version of getting even.
“The only people we have to get even with are those that have helped us.”
So yes, I owe an amends to that company and that driver. My Fabulous You podcast episode about this? Totally inspired by my faux pas. Because at the end of the day, I don’t want to miss a chance to choose love over reaction.
My hope for you, my Happy Asses, is that when you mess up like I did, you’ll give yourself grace, learn from it and lean right back into kindness.
Grateful,
Karen Key Smith
