Maybe, Just Maybe

A couple of weeks ago I went to my local, small town, bank.  We've banked there for many years and most of the tellers know me.  But this time was different.  When I walked up to the counter the (newer) teller had a slightly nervous expression on his face.  He asked me to remove my hat.  I looked at him like he was nuts and he continued by saying that they prefer to have transactions on video without obstructions of hats and things.  My first inclination (which I did NOT act upon) was to get angry and say that I didn't need to take off my hat.  I wanted to ask if he would be asking me to do it if I wasn't brown.  But I didn't want to cause a scene so I complied.
That encounter got me thinking.
I have a couple friends that work at banks in different cities and states who have been held up.  One actually had a gun pointed at her.  She said that it's an experience she'll never forget.  So when it comes to the safety of bank tellers, maybe it's not about me.
When I let that thought roll around in my brain for a little while I wondered how this concept could apply to other areas of my life:
A person cuts me off in traffic- Maybe it's not about me.
The temperature drops 20 degrees, it's overcast and threatening rain on the day of my party- Maybe it's not about me.
On the same day as my experience in the bank I went grocery shopping.  Anyone who has been to the grocery store lately can attest to the fact that food prices are out of control.  As I looked at the high meat prices I could feel the anger pouring over me.  I had to remind myself "Maybe it's not about me."

Now would be a good time to clarify what I mean by "Maybe it's not about me."
Obviously every one of those things I previously mentioned have an effect on me.  But the teller was most likely following branch policy.  I highly doubt it was a personal attack.
Rain happens.  I don't think God was up there saying "Let's mess with Jimmy and make it cold and damp on the day of his party."
And as for the guy that cuts me off, or the hundreds of people that find it necessary to ride my bumper in traffic?  I'm sorry, but some times people just suck.  I'm trying to remember that some times people have a lot more going on in their lives and unfortunately they often spew their crap on others.
It is a result of the world in which we live.
I'm convinced that if we discern between whether something is a personal attack or just a result of living in a fallen world we can often defuse potentially volatile situations.

This may come as a shocker to some readers, but I mess up... A lot!
But here's the thing.  When I mess up I hope that people are forgiving and extend grace even when I don't deserve it.  So if that's what I want from others, shouldn't I be willing to extend the same to others?
Instead of automatically assuming that the negative that is happening is a personal attack maybe I would be better off rolling with it.  Because when I get angry it usually snowballs.  Before I know it I am mad at the world and ready to kick some butt.  But really what good ever comes from that?  That's how wars get started.
So the weather didn't turn out as I planned and some of my friends couldn't make it.  Was it really the end of the world?  NO!  We had reserved a shelter in the park so we were protected from the rain.  And I still enjoyed time with the friends that were able to make it.
And now, when I go to the bank, I remove my hat prior to entering out of respect for those working in a potentially dangerous situation.

Maybe it's not about me.  But maybe I can take it upon myself to be the reason someone else has a better day.

God bless y'all!