Funny Motivational Speaker Amy Dee’s Blog during coronavirus,
Line cutting is a pet peeve of mine. In high school, when beefy football players cut into the front of the lunch line, I’d stomp my 5 foot two inches of mad into their pimply faces and demand that they return to their spot. Instead of slinking away, the meatheads would chant “Flatty McDee.” I’d turn baboon-butt-red and scurry away with my double A’s.
It took a few months of living in Norway to realize that sneak-a-boo is common there. Elbows out, I’d guard my position at the movies, grocery stores, gas stations. Etc. Once, while standing in a cue for fish, a woman sneaky-sneaked ahead of me. Instead of confronting her, I pressed my cart against her until her butt fat protruded through the nickel-plated square wires of my shopping cart. She had the gall to give ME a dirty look when she grabbed her cod and left. I am not proud of this moment.
Several weeks ago, I was next up in the self-check-out line, when a woman appeared from nowhere and did a side sneak right in front of me. She didn’t look my way until she secured her stolen position, then faked a surprise look at me as if to say, “Oops! I didn’t see you standing there.” BS. You and I both know you pulled a Houdini sneak.
While preparing my nasty take down speech to her, I spotted a teenager’s t-shirt imprinted with “Kindness Matters”.
Suddenly I remembered a three words I’d read long ago “Why so mad?”. This was a lightbulb moment for me.
Cutting in line is rude. I have every right to become upset over it, but should I be so mad about it? Was my anger proportionate to the offense?
Asking myself, “Why so mad?” put the slight into perspective. Was this really such a big deal? I have a pretty good life, but no one ever promised me immunity from rudeness. Almost immediately, my anger simmered down. Feeling better, I kind of smiled at the woman when she left.
Next time you get super angry about something, ask yourself “Why so mad”. If you are like me, it will take the thunder out of your storm.
Become more Resilient, use this link to Amy’s Resilience resource guide, A Resilience Resource Guide
