In a recent post, Matt expressed himself about a pet peeve at the market like this:
"Why are you still writing checks? The other day I was in line the supermarket and not one, but TWO, people in front of me paid for their groceries with checks, despite the fact that is the year 2003. And they didn't just use checks. They seemed to revel in being as slow, meticulous, and inefficient as possible. They went through the whole, tedious process fishing through their purses for a pen, doing the math in the ledger of their checkbook ("hmmm, let's see... carry the two... no wait, what's six from fifteen?..."), carefully printing out the "TO" line, asking the checkout girl for the date, carefully creasing the check before tearing it out, and so on... I so wished for a moment I could be Cyclops from X-Men and blast them into ashes with laser eye-beams... Such would be the fate of anyone who uses a check in front of me in line if only I had the gift of mutant superpowers..."
OK, I can certainly understand and can sympathize. I have felt the same way myself. However these days when things like this happen, I am trying to look at it a new way. And it works pretty well most of the time. Think of it this way. There is nothing you can do about the situation, but you can change how you react. This is a good time to take a moment to just breathe.
Let yourself feel the breath filling your lungs and a giving every cell some much needed oxygen. You can even close your eyes for a second. Mentally wish the culprit well, turn to the person behind you, smile and say something about the weather. Most of the time when I try this, the mood changes, an interesting conversation begins, time passes quickly and I end up having a pretty good time. More and more I am aware that we only have this moment. We might as well enjoy it.
Of course when I told both Matt and Mike my take on this, they didn't agree. OK, OK, I know that no one asked for my advice. But I am a Mom! And, I am telling you this for your own good!
Of course you can always just "blast them into ashes with laser eye-beams". Or do what my Dad did and give them "the stare". I guess that works too.
Posted by Judi at May 19, 2003 6:42 PM | TrackBackwow. thats all i can say. wow. i mean really. i never knew such a simple concept as breathing could soothe my soul as well as yors did. i mean i always get stressed and anxious especially in the crowded grocery store! not to mention the bad water. really, thank you for your lovely help i am a mother of 29 and i really enojoy reading you,.thtkl tlk6yj'sr6
Posted by: agnus at June 2, 2006 4:21 PMWell, thanks Agnus for finding me.
Posted by: Judi at June 3, 2006 10:18 AM