I am a benefit-of-the-doubter.

I justify certain behaviors by making excuses for the potential offenders.

My initial reaction when I get cut off in traffic is usually to swear. But then I think, Gosh, I hope he gets his laboring wife to the hospital in time.

New fathers get the benefit of my doubt.

My initial reaction to an unreturned message (or twelve) is eventually to swear. But then I think, Oh no! I hope they feel okay. You know that flu bug’s been going around.

Sick people get the benefit of my doubt.

My initial reaction to someone not doing their job is to silently swear. But then I think, They’re probably just distracted by this beautiful day.

Admirers of nature get the benefit of my doubt.

My initial reaction to a card or gift gone unacknowledged is to disappointedly swear. But then I think, It must not have arrived yet, we all know how notoriously unreliable the USPS can be.*

Customers of postal workers get the benefit of my doubt.

My long-term late-reaction to a card or gift gone unacknowledged is to swear and say, That’s the last time I send them a card or gift! But then I think, I card and gift because I want to. I enjoy it.

Friends and family to whom I send cards and gifts get the benefit of my selfish nature.

This knee-jerk/acceptance is my built-in coping mechanism. People piss me off. But I don’t think it’s personal. And I don’t think they’re bad people. I’m hoping to get to a point in my maturity where I skip ahead to the acceptance. But as long as I end up there, what’s a few swear words?

Will I stop doing things for other people? Giving the right of way, leaving messages, sending cards, writing letters, giving gifts? Even to people who maybe, almost, sorta kinda, probably don’t deserve it?

I doubt it.

*Comment made for humorous purposes only, I adore the USPS.