This morning I awoke to the sound of two barking dogs. Two dogs barking at the sound of thunder as a stormy day rolled in. As I trudged out of bed and heard the sound of the rain beating on the concrete outside one of the open windows in our house I instantly thought that I'd like to head back to bed. Almost like clockwork, the naturally calm and collective Melissa person became the incredible hulk! If you think about it, what it the one thing that the incredible hulk posses most? A lack of patience! Why else does he get so angry? He tends to just push his way through life. When was the last time you noticed that big green super "un"hero wait at a stop light in the movies? I mean...the dude is totally inpatient!
For some reason the dark clouds and the storms rolling in always get my patience on end. My perception of how people are driving or other people's choices get on my nerves. Every argument I could have with people I don't like comes to mind and I threaten to actually yell at someone.
How do I avoid doing this in the future? That is what I need to learn today. Otherwise a co-worker may just get a piece of my mind today or a driver in front of me might get the finger. (Trust me...it's been a while since I flipped anyone off but it has happened.) Today I will remember to step back from the situations and work on becoming patient. I will count to ten before yelling today. There's already enough thunder and lightening outside...I don't need to create any more in here than I have to. Wish me luck!
I know that it's so very hard, in any situation that you are about to go off on someone, to not only hold back, but to smile at them and tell them just how wonderful that they are. Oh it would so much easier to just tell them to _ _ _ _ off! And let them see the back side of you middle nose-picker. The only real problem with that is, especially if it is someone you know like a co-worker, you will have to deal with that person later. Maybe they will apologize, or maybe you will say I'm sorry. But I have found, through my own experience, if I can get a real hold on myself, smile, and say something nice about that other person, (who is actually expecting the confrontation), that I can walk away from there feeling very good about myself. I have done no wrong, and they are left totally beside them self. Try it sometime. It is actually very funny to watch.
ReplyDeleteOh, when I say that I've had this happen through my own experience, I mean that the first time it happened, I was the guy expecting a raging confrontation, and ended up very befuddled. Now I'm the guy on the other end. Well okay, I'm far from perfect, but maybe 70% of the time, I'm that guy who keeps his cool.