Yes. They Want to be Happy Too.
Just like you. Maybe not in the same way, and that's OK.
The desire to be “happy” is one of the most universal of human desires. Yet life’s speed bumps keep popping up: financial stress, family conflicts, unexpected health issues, and global chaos.
It’s easy to get caught up in our own stuff, to see the world through a lens that focuses on just our own struggles. But what if we could slow down long enough to remember that everybody else is carrying their own heavy loads, too?
When we’re stressed, it’s sooo easy to slip into reactivity. Maybe someone cuts you off in traffic, snaps at you at work, or sends a text that hits you the wrong way. WTF???
The knee-jerk reaction is to fire back to defend your territory, to label that person as difficult or inconsiderate. Call them an asshole (which makes WHO the asshole?)
What if, instead of snapping back, you took a breath and reminded yourself that this person, no matter how grumpy or seemingly antagonistic, is also trying to deal with their own pain? Maybe their loved one is sick, their rent is due, or they’re feeling the same sneaky feeling of uncertainty that you are. Maybe they’re longing to be seen, heard, respected, happy, and loved, just like you.
Taking a pause before you go off is a practice of emotional intelligence, really. It’s about recognizing our triggers before they lead us down the rabbit hole of anger or resentment. It’s about seeing the human behind the behavior and choosing to respond with curiosity instead of judgment. Can we see them as fellow travelers, stumbling along this unpredictable road just like us?
When we drop our “easy” labels and stop dumping people in boxes of “good” or “bad,” “friend” or “enemy,” we create room for understanding. We soften our hearts and allow compassion to grow.
This doesn’t mean tolerating harmful behavior or ignoring our own boundaries. It means choosing to respond with the same kindness and care we hope to receive, remembering that suffering is a shared human experience.
So, the next time someone rubs you the wrong way or tests your patience, try offering a silent wish for their well-being:
“May you be safe. May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with ease.”
You might be surprised at how this small shift can change your mood and your day—and maybe even theirs.