I’ve been consciously working on something the past couple of years. I’m in a really good place now, but it took a lot of conscious effort to get here. Now I don’t even think about it. That thing I’m referring to is not sweating the small stuff. I used to have an extremely short fuse, and the most trivial things would light it. I could go from happy to pissed off in 0.2 seconds.
Last Friday night, D called a pizza order in for pickup at Papa Johns. They told us it would be ready in about 35 minutes. We got there right about that time and it wasn’t ready. They were CRAZY busy up in there. (We thought we were being different by staying in for Valentine’s Day, but it would appear that was a very popular idea!) I sat in the truck and waited since the dogs rode to town with us, and I could see D and everyone else standing there waiting. Some were waiting patiently, and others were being very animated about their frustration. It took an additional half-hour or so to get our order. When D got back to the truck, he was telling me how ridiculous some of those people were being… one older guy in particular who made a point to tell everyone who came in, “I hope you’ve got a fucking hour to kill!”
It really made me think. I feel sorry for those people now. I know what it’s like to be that person. I may not have been that assholish about it (although, trust me, I had my moments), but on the inside I would have been boiling. After learning to let that stuff go, to not make such a huge deal about every little thing that doesn’t go according to plan, I’m SO much happier! When you stop to ask yourself, “Will I remember this in a year? A month? Even a week?” it’s amazing how few things are really worth getting pissed about. I really wish I could go back and tell twenty-something Pam that.
Do you have a short temper, or does it take a lot to ruffle your feathers?
herbie on the run 
Oh gosh, MAJOR applause for getting better at this. This is so me, and also, working on it. I was in a similar situation last week, where I was at a crowded event where my friend shut down and acted like a child… and it made me realize what an immature reaction that is (like the hour to kill guy), I was annoyed with her but grateful she made me realize I should not shut down, even though I was also stressed.
Again, good for you for getting better!
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Kudos to you! It normally takes me a while to really get worked up. It's just not worth it for the small stuff. For me it's all about not knowing the circumstance. Sure, the other person may be an asshole, but you have no idea what their life is like. And at the end of the they have to go home and be them. Still puts you on top!
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