Yesterday was not my best day behind the wheel; I made two really stupid driving mistakes in the course of about an hour. I wasn’t on the phone at the time, had consumed no alcohol; these was just stupid errors, the kind we all make from time to time when our minds are elsewhere.

Both times I realized my mistake and mutely apologized — threw my hand up and mouthed I’m so sorry — to the other drivers. And both times I was met with angry expressions, waving hands — that silent shout you see through the car window.

I don’t argue for a moment my culpability in the fender benders that nearly ensued. But I’d bet that both other drivers have made their share of dumb moves behind the wheel. And, given that both incidents took place in parking lots at very low speeds, it’s highly unlikely that lives would have been at stake.

Why are we so quick to become angry with one another and so slow to forgive? Why can’t we be as patient with others as we want them to be with us? Where is mercy?

One of the incidents occurred as I was meeting some Twitter friends for dinner. As there are often new faces at these dinners, I briefly wondered how awkward it would be if the other driver happened to be at our Tweetup as well. What a terrible way to start a relationship.

These are difficult times. Everyone is worried about jobs, mortgages, kids’ college funds. Our nation is in transition — a transition that frightens some and exhilarates others. Sometimes it’s hard not to let things get to us. And I don’t mean this in an I-love-you-you-love-me Barney the Dinosaur kind of way, but … can’t we all just try to be nicer to one another?

I promise to be much more careful in parking lots, and I promise to be merciful toward you if you aren’t.

You?