Crossing a street just now, I came across a car blocking the pedestrian crosswalk. Normally, I’d let the driver know that this was wrong. But for some reason, I was in a happy, positive mood. So positive that I convinced myself that the driver wasn’t a jerk, and that he was merely (and unfortunately) caught by the circumstances (maybe the traffic marshal abruptly made him/her stop?). Which is entirely possible considering our atrocious motoring conditions. Who hasn’t found oneself trapped in unfavorable scenes on the road?

Just sharing this because it felt good. Instead of being judgmental—and self-righteous, admittedly—I was able to rise above my usual holier-than-thou mindset. The pleasant feeling that came over me as a result was worth it.

Now, some of you will not agree and insist that the driver deserved to at least be told off. Fair enough. You wouldn’t be wrong if you did this.

But my cheerful attitude in this situation showed me that there’s another choice—the choice of being magnanimous in my daily, trivial encounters. And I liked it, to be honest. Maybe I just found my pill for road rage.

Let me leave you with this Bible verse:

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14)