Last weekend in Al Qouz, I had an unexpected encounter with another driver over a parking spot. I had patiently positioned myself to enter the parking space, waiting for the cars to pass by, when suddenly, a luxury car drove fast, claiming the spot.
I pulled up beside her, rolled my window down, and told her I was patiently waiting for that spot. She apologized, saying sorry many times while telling me her reasons. She also offered to move her car out and let me have it, since she knew she was in the wrong.
However, I chose to take a different approach. I told her there was no need to move out and that I could find another parking spot on the next block. She insisted that I take the spot, but I declined again, assuring her that it was perfectly fine.
Choose kindness
At that moment, I picked up something important. I may have been in the right, but I didn’t need to be rude to prove it. I was reminded at that moment about the recent message I heard – to choose kindness over imposing your rights. It turned out to be a small act of compassion that brightened her day, and it left me feeling good about the way I handled the situation as well.
Kudos to the lady for humbling herself also and for being willing to move out and offering the parking space back to me. I wish more of us would be extra conscious and choose kindness over escalating the situation unnecessarily.
Thank God for the reminder to stay calm.
Choose your parking; I mean, battle.
