The trouble of preconceived notions.
A man was driving his car on an empty and dark road when he suddenly got a flat tire. After stopping his car, he got out and noticed that he had not taken the car jack with him, making it impossible to change the tire. At this point, fear and despair began to seize him when he looked up and saw the light of a country house in the distance.
To try and find some help, he set off on foot in the direction of the house. During his long walk, though, doubts began to creep into his mind...
What if no one opens the door for me?
What if they don't have a jack I can borrow?
What if they have a jack, but simply won't lend it to me?
Creating all these hypothetical scenarios in his head, the driver's nervousness grew with each step he was taking.
Finally, when he reached the lonely cottage, the owner opened the door to him and, before any greetings were exchanged, the driver suddenly lost his temper. Due to the negative scenarios he had built up in his mind, the driver started shaking his fist and shouting, "Keep that darn jack for yourself!"
Whether we like it or not, our thoughts determine the route of the journey called life. If we only think about failures, they will surely become ours. On the other hand, this story is a good example of how much of our judgments about other people are just our bias and prejudices that have nothing to do with reality.
"Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible."
- Maya Angelou
