As I ventured out to do some shopping a day before a holiday weekend, I braced myself knowing it will be busy. I headed to the local Polish store for some larger-than-life sausages. I am there when the store opened at 9 and there were 20 people in front of me! I’m shocked but happy that business is good. I watched people shove their way around others trying to get to the counter because their number had been called. Then it’s my turn. Number thirty-one gets called. I raised my voice and put up my hand, but because nobody moved, I missed my chance. It’s like I was in a tank of fish and someone just fed us, but I am the fish at the bottom of the tank. Sigh, I am slightly annoyed and frustrated.
A couple things come to mind. Should I have been more aggressive like all the rest of the people? Should I have shouted louder?
The answer is no all the way around. I eventually got my sausages and perogies and in the process, I remained cool, calm and collected. We need to remember that on days like this, we are part of the problem and the solution. I decided at the last minute to get the sausages (my problem) and I cannot control other people and their actions. The solution is to stay friendly while speaking up and advocating for myself. After missing my number, I told the counter person and viola they set the number counter back and I got my turn.
The fact is we are all in this together so why not be kind about it? I proceeded to pay and head to the parking lot where two gentlemen were having a less-than-lovely discussion about parking spaces! I just smiled and thought to myself, if you only could look at yourself in a mirror right now. You are stressed over sausages. This is not a big world problem.
I am also a firm believer that if I have been made to wait for something there is a reason. Perhaps missing my turn meant that delay prevented me from getting in a car accident and dying. Yes, I do go there people. It is the same thing when people get upset about a flight being delayed. I understand that was not the plan, but do you really want to get on a plane that is not ready? I certainly don’t want to. I know and believe there is always a bigger picture, we just may not know the why.
So in the meantime, why not try to tap into our inner calmness and “just keep on swimming”! Thanks for the quote, Dory.
Flossie McCowald | SuperMomHacks says
You are so wise and so right-on with this, Sue! For me, the trick is not to remember to have this sense of equilibrium, but rather to remember to get enough sleep – when I do, it’s a lot easier to remember to be this chill when others around me are not! 🙂
Sue Bassett says
You are right with the sleep!! Thanks for your comment.