On her blog, “Thoughts, Dots, and Tots,” Hailey portrays herself as a “mom, wife, Mormon, counselor, and professional worrier with a slight obsession with polka dots and zombies.” One morning, she encountered frustration due to traffic, particularly being stuck behind an older SUV. The vehicle appeared to be experiencing some issues, although Hailey was unaware of what they were until she approached close enough to read the sign posted on the back window of the Ford.

Upon reading the message, “Learning stick, sorry for any delay,” she experienced a sudden realization about herself rather than the SUV driver. Capturing a snapshot of the sign, she took to Facebook to share her insight not only about herself but also about the individuals we encounter on the road and in the world.

Acknowledging that the person was learning to drive a stick shift, she remarked, “I showed great patience with their slow shifting, and truthfully, they were handling it quite well for still learning.”

She then pondered, “Would I have shown the same patience if the sign hadn’t been there? I can almost certainly say no.” This acknowledgment prompted her to recognize a problem.

“We aren’t aware of what someone is going through. We don’t display signs that reveal our personal struggles,” she expressed. “You won’t find signs pinned 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 perceive what those around us are experiencing, we would undoubtedly be kinder. However, we shouldn’t require signs or reasons to treat strangers with compassion. We should extend it regardless, whether or not we understand their circumstances. Let’s offer everyone an extra measure of patience, kindness, and love,” she concluded.

We are often unaware of the challenges people face, and it is hoped that the handwritten message and Hailey’s realization will serve as a learning opportunity for others.