From Meltdown to Mindfulness: How to Stay Calm in the Face of Small Inconveniences

People get so upset over even the slightest of inconvenience.

Story time!

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Yesterday, I was at the gas station filling up my pickup truck.

The gas station was busy. Cars were driving in and out, people crossing the parking lot, trucks unloading supplies, etc. We all know how chaotic a gas station can be with cars backing in and out, vehicles parked around the perimeter, vehicles waiting for others back out, random people popping into your view, people vying for parking spots. 

As I was standing there pumping gas, I observed a man get irrationally upset!

Here is what I observed: 

He pulled into the gas station parking lot in a black SUV.

There were was a gold van in front of him deciding where to park, albeit slowly and cautiously. 

The gold van went to turn into a parking spot, but as that happened an elderly customer opened the door to their car, blocking the parking spot for the gold van. So the van just sat there, waiting...

By waiting the van blocked the rest of the drive through area. Especially blocking the man in the black SUV.

This man in the black SUV slowly began to lose his absolute mind.

At first it was a slight "what is going on!?" hand gesture. The gesture we all have done. 

But then words came (I could read his lips) - "come on!" "what the f*ck!" "let's go!"

Then came pounding his steering wheel. Tantrum time! 

Then came the honking of the horn! Long, drawn out honks at that...

Finally, the gold van was able to pull into the parking spot.

The black SUV, with a now angry man behind the wheel, aggressively drove through the parking lot and found a spot to park at the pump directly across from me. 

About 1 minute had passed between the honking of the horn and the black SUV parking.

But still, this man was continuously shaking his head. Clearly aggravated as he stepped out of his car. 

He headed toward the gas station mumbling to himself, but clear enough that I heard the words "f*cking stupid people.."

As I stood there watching everything that transpired I couldn't help but think to myself how sad it was that someone could get upset over something so little.

True disgust was fuming from his being.

Now, I don't know what has transpired in this man's life to have had that type of reaction. I do want to give slight grace and forgiveness, but I feel as though being that upset, that disgusted about something so small and tiny in the grand scheme of things is not worth it.

I am sure we have all have gotten overly upset over something small.

I certainly know I have.

But I feel as though this world already has enough negativity.

If you feel yourself ever getting irritated over small inconveniences like above, a common practice is to pause and ask yourself this question:

Will I be upset about this situation in one week? One month? One year?

If the answer is no. Take a deep breath, and do what you can to control your thoughts and actions. 

Spread positivity. 

As always, be kind.

Week 34 of 52