Intent matters (be careful out there)

Yesterday, I made a quick trip, alone, to the nearest gas station and I had my windows down.
It’s a small 4 pump BP station and I just wanted to fill up a 5-gallon gas can that I had with me.
The gas can was empty (and I was lazy) so I put it in the backseat rather than the very back.
As I pull into the station there’s another black SUV pulled off to the side and no other cars at the pump.
I put the car in park and decided to roll the front windows up just over 1/2 way so no one could easily reach in and snag my phone or wallet on the center console (I take my card out and leave the wallet inside).
I roll the front windows up (well, I held the button) and then get out & went to get the can.
I get out the normal way, turn left and open the back door of the driver’s side, not thinking about anything, at all.
As I open the door, I see a somewhat strung out looking guy, probably in his late 30’s, holding a bag plopping down into the empty seat across from me.
“Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?” I quickly and not-so-eloquently blurted out in a slightly raised tone.
I didn’t see him anywhere near me.
I didn’t see him come out of the station.
I didn’t see him walking towards my car.
Nothing. I was just completely caught off guard as I was, uncharacteristically, not paying attention (those who spend any time around me know this is a rarity).
“Oh, Shit! I’m sorry! Wrong car!” he says as he quickly fumbles and stumbles out of the seat.
For about 3 seconds I just watched as he quickly made his way towards the other car. He apologized profusely and I merely laughed to myself.
“I’ve done the same thing, man… I get it.” I said to him.
He went and sat in the backseat of a very similar vehicle and just kept laughing and shaking his head while looking down.
I continued watching on and off for a good minute afterwards and I confirmed that this was truly an accident.
Now, although this was an accident, it goes to show how quickly things can and do happen.
Had I not opened the backseat I probably wouldn’t have even known he was there until I got in to leave.
I know better than to put myself in a position where I left myself vulnerable, and I’m lucky it turned out like it did.
Some quick thoughts as they relate:
* Always lock your doors as soon as you get out, especially if you’re alone.
* Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
* Don’t just go about your business without connecting dots as you go.
* Don’t put gas cans in the back seat.
Importantly, I didn’t feel threatened, whatsoever, just confused. Had I felt threatened, I wonder how this would have ended? Would I have reacted differently? Absolutely. Could it have affected both our lives? Without a doubt.
Intent matters.
Reading intent also matters.
And I’ll end with my own version of quote from Gandalf that I use often:
“Do not be so quick to judge. For even the wisest among us cannot see things from all angles.”
Competitive Awareness
#TalentPlusSkill #CompetitiveAwareness #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #Athlete #Coaching by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Did you really give it your all? Did you put in that 100% effort you think you did? Did you really go out there and give it all...
Let’s Go Branding
#BuildABrand #WelcomeToMoes #MoreThanALogo #CustomersFirst #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #Branding #Business by SHAWN TRAUTMAN “Let’s Go Branding!” There was a time I’d go out of my way to find a Moe’s. I know the food isn’t quite the best quality out...
Make It Happen
You are it. You’re the one that can make it happen. Not me. Not them. Not some stranger. Not us. You. A team of one.
First Impressions
“I don’t know if she understood, dad” says my daughter. “And, why do you do that to people?” I pondered this for only a few seconds before answering and then my answer was clear…
I’ve Never Been to a Hooters
When most people think of branding, they think of colors and logos. Branding is the core essence of your existence. It’s what your brand represents. It’s what your brand conveys. It’s the imagination your brand ignites. It’s the experience and feelings and atmosphere. It’s the floors, tables, dust, and lighting. It’s the menu & word choices, the food, the speed, and the smile that comes with it. It’s the bathrooms and the soap and the garbage and the type of toilet paper. It’s the system that works to remind you that you’re there for a reason. It’s what gets you to talk about it over and over and over.
Check Engine Light for Your Body
What would life look like if we had an internal check engine light that others could see? What does this mean and is it possible that we’re heading in this direction?
The Road To Successful Coaching
Coaching is much more than just winning. Here you’ll learn 20 of the top strategies for successful coaches and have your own playbook for truly making an impact as a coach.
Volcanic Interruption?
What would happen if a large chunk of the Canary Islands did, in fact, break off? How much water would there be? How large would the tsunami be? Who would it impact and when? I explore all these thoughts and more, here.
Goodbye to the Net
#BlackOut #SolarFlare #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #AreYouReady by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Have you ever stopped and thought about what runs on the Internet nowadays? (this is important). I mean, really, if there happened to be an unexpected...
In This Moment
#InTheMoment #PickYourBattle #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #Health by SHAWN TRAUTMAN I’m paying attention, yet detaching. I’m preparing more, yet letting go. I’m watching other’s more, yet closing my eyes more. I’m sharing more, yet...
0 Comments