Learning to See Beyond the Surface

Sometimes, we’re physically present in a place, but our thoughts are far away. Last Saturday, I went to the mall and spotted a friend across the crowd. Excited to see her, I waved enthusiastically—but she didn’t smile or wave back! For a split second, I felt hurt and thought she had ignored me intentionally.

The following day, as she passed by my house, she greeted me warmly. I brought up what happened, and she immediately apologized. She explained her mind was “clouded with stuff” and didn’t even notice me. That conversation made me rethink how quick I had been to judge the situation.

We Don’t Always Know What Others Are Going Through

This experience taught me a valuable lesson: people often carry unseen burdens. When someone doesn’t respond the way we expect, it’s easy to assume the worst. But the truth is, they might be distracted, worried, or dealing with something personal.

Just like, my friend’s reaction—or lack thereof—had nothing to do with me. She was simply caught up in her own thoughts, as many of us are from time to time. Thinking back, I’ve had days when I walked through public spaces, barely noticing anyone because my mind was occupied.

Related: How to Ditch the Judgmental Attitude

The Value of Giving Grace to Others

Learning to give others the benefit of the doubt makes interactions less stressful. Instead of feeling rejected when someone doesn’t acknowledge you, try to understand they might be dealing with their own mental clutter. After all, we’ve all been in situations where we unintentionally overlooked someone because we were distracted.

This approach not only makes us more empathetic but also frees us from unnecessary overthinking. A small shift in perspective can help maintain our peace while respecting others' feelings.

Related: How can you accept others’ imperfections?

Kindness Makes All the Difference

The simple act of acknowledging that people have their own struggles creates room for kindness and understanding. The next time someone doesn’t respond to your greeting, consider their circumstances instead of assuming the worst. Small changes in how we think can lead to more compassionate interactions.

After my experience, I’ve learned to approach these moments with more patience. We never truly know what’s going on in someone’s mind, so let’s extend grace wherever we can.

Related: Affirmation Sweater