I’m sure by now we both know what the word assume means! If not, stop reading and come back tomorrow–this post might not be for you!
If I only had a penny for every time I have placed blame where it didn’t belong, I would be off to a really great start on a college fund! Because me flying off the handle before having the facts is my specialty! You would think after 2 or 3 times of jumping to conclusions (and being wrong) that I would realize the world isn’t as crappy as I make it out to be, but then my life would much less dramatic! You see, I am one of those people who has a low tolerance for nonsense, so I take the information I have (or think I have) and run with it. I’m so great at “putting people in their place”, that I just react!
Here’s an example– I was a teacher at the same school as my children. I took my class for a restroom break and I see my oldest child coming out of an empty room with his teacher, who isn’t smiling! Something in me snapped and without saying a single word to her, I shew him back into the room and start drilling him! I mean, full name, mom voice, the whole nine yards! If he tried to “explain” I didn’t wait to hear him out and I would lay into him again! Well, in the end, he was the one person who saw something go down with some classmates and his teacher had simply pulled him aside to find out what happened! Yeah……….not one of my finest mom moments! I could literally go on and on with stories that are so embarrassing, but oh so true when it comes to me reacting before having every piece of information I need! Im trying to be better!!!
Much to my dismay, I have actually been on the other end of that ugly word as well! And it’s not fun! A very vivid moment that sticks out and has left some deep scars happened when I was about 16 years old. I was on the phone with a friend when my younger brother (by 8 years) came in our back door screaming and had blood running down his head. My parents immediately started yelling at me to leave him alone! It wasn’t until after they assumed I did something to be mean that they realized that he actually had been shot in the head, with a pellet gun! No, it wasn’t me–thanks for wondering! In the end–he was okay! But I have to say, it stills bothers me to this day, that I got blamed for something that had nothing to do with me! I really am working on letting things go!!!
I tell you both of these stories to show you how great of an impact assuming has! It doesn’t matter if you’re the one placing blame or the one taking the blame, someone is getting hurt! And maybe you don’t hold onto things like I do, OR maybe you’re like my husband and you let others think what they want without caring! But for me, there is no greater disappointment than for someone to assume that I did or did not do something and I catch heat because they were wrong!
As I start to bring this one to an end, I can’t help but to chuckle to myself as I type out how ridiculous I really am and have been at times! I mean, who in the world holds onto something for 25 years? Me–that’s who! But I do have to say: if you only knew some of the ridiculous stories that are running through my mind–you would be just as amused as I am! And even though I can look back and laugh at myself, I’m here to remind you (as well as myself) at how our words and sometimes actions really do affect others when we assume!
So perhaps you and I can both decide to give grace before getting ahead of ourselves and make situations worse! And I hope that IF you are like me and you’re quick to judge, that you are also quick to admit your faults and apologize! But wouldn’t everyone be better off if we all would stop A.S.S.U.M.I.N.G?!
Enjoy Every Moment 