Being a mom, a wife, and managing a home can feel like a tricky balancing act. And when you have multiple children, finding moments of peace and quiet becomes a rare luxury. Hailey, a woman who can relate to this all too well, faces daily challenges and consequences from seemingly small obstacles.

One day, as Hailey was on her way to work, she found herself stuck behind a slow-moving car. It tested her patience not to lose her cool behind the wheel. She was in a hurry and didn’t have time to waste behind a snail-paced vehicle.

However, when Hailey stopped behind the car at a red light, something caught her attention: a note in the back window. Intrigued, she read the words and felt compelled to share her experience on her blog, Thoughts, Dots and Tots. This encounter completely changed her perspective on the world.

Here’s what Hailey wrote: “As I was pulling into work, I was following this car. The sign in the back window says, ‘Learning stick sorry for any delay.’ Knowing this information, I was very patient with their slow shifting, and honestly they were doing pretty well for still learning. Then I asked myself a tough question: Would I have been just as patient if the sign hadn’t been there? I can almost definitely say no. We don’t know what someone is going through.

We don’t wear signs that illustrate our personal struggles. You don’t see signs taped to people’s shirts that say, ‘Going through a divorce,’ or ‘Lost a child,’ or ‘Feeling depressed,’ or ‘Diagnosed with cancer.’ If we could visually read what those around us are going through, we would definitely be nicer. But we shouldn’t have to see signs and have reasons to treat strangers with kindness. We should do it anyway, whether we know what is going on or not. Whether they deserve it or not. Let’s give everyone an extra dose of patience, kindness, and love.”

Hailey’s heartfelt realization left a lasting impact on her. Instead of remaining frustrated and annoyed, she took a deep breath and chose to be tolerant. We can all learn from Hailey’s experience.

Have you ever been irritated because the bus is late or someone is rude to you? But getting angry doesn’t benefit anyone. Instead, why not show compassion and kindness? Treating others with understanding and empathy not only benefits them but also brings positivity into your own life. Just imagine if we all took a deep breath and embraced Hailey’s lesson. Life doesn’t have to be stressful.

If you were touched by Hailey’s powerful words, please share them with your friends and family on Facebook. Let’s spread this beautiful message and inspire more people to show kindness and understanding.