MGI

i love this new phrase a friend shared with me.  it is all about giving people and situations the "Most Generous Interpretation", or MGI for short.

typically it's those who already more than pass the anger test--you know, the *ones who already do MGI--who tend to teach us these lovely things.  *thanks, pal, you know who you are.

you know the people--instead of getting mad at someone who is speeding, they assume they're having a medical emergency.  or they are completely unphased when someone is running late, "they probably stopped to help rescue someone's cat", being the reasoning.

what i love about MGI is it's not making excuses for people, it's just slowing down any of our own tendency to pre-judge the situation.  it gives healthy space between reality and our interpretation of it.   

so the next time you're tempted to get ansty when...

...the dessert you ordered is slow.  MGI!  maybe the baker is taking time to decorate it with extra frosting.

...you haven't heard back from a job interview.  MGI!  maybe they're in process of negotiating higher pay.

...someone snaps at you in the grocery store.  MGI!  it's possible someone they love just died.

...you think you've been ghosted.  MGI!  their phone might have gotten run over and they need a new one.

have fun with this one!  oh, and the great thing?  maybe people will offer the MGI with you too.