BESTSELF™ ICEBREAKER | Exposed 22

HOW EASY IS IT FOR YOU TO LOSE YOUR TEMPER AND WHY?

I admit I have a temper. In fact, it used to be my North Star, my go-to safe place.

It has not been a part of my life for a while. I used to walk through life in a ball of fury, but now I rarely find anything that triggers me enough to unleash my horrific temper. There are small things that tick me off, minor irritations, pet peeves, and small frustrations, but they are all manageable.

Beyond that, I’ve learned that things that would usually trip my temper are more about you than me, so I often take the time to weigh whether or not a response is required. 99% of the time, I walk away. I’ve also populated my life with people who don’t trigger my temper. Those who have evolved and grown with me are still around. Those who insist on seeing me as my former (less-evolved) self or through the lens of my mother’s stories are gone. Change is the only constant in life, and growth is a good thing. I don’t hold onto things so tightly that I’m not open to the idea that I may be wrong, even if it took a long time to learn what now needs to be unlearned.

I no longer need to be right; I do need to be happy.

My anger is primarily focused on the larger picture - community-based, whether at home or abroad. What can I do in my small way to make a difference that would make the world a better place for me and mine - as well as you and yours? How can I lend my voice to create positive change? I have an opinion about many things and research all angles to represent an objective view; I’m content to go through my days that way, making little incremental progress toward quiet and calm.

That got a bit heavy, so, for fun context, here is a non-exhaustive list of my “pet peeves”:

“On accident” is not a term; it’s “by accident.” And, when did “my bad” become a thing? Language usage definitely makes me twitch!

Short toilets

“Happy Wife, Happy Life” is complete bullshit; the phrase should be “Happy Spouse, Happy House.”

Incessant advertising for gambling apps on sports channels - when did that start? (Reminder: I’m in Canada - that shit never happened before, when did that start?)

Use your blinker to leave your on-street parking. That said, you do NOT automatically have the right of way when you engage the blinker. Wait for a break to enter traffic. 

Spitting - especially in public onto a sidewalk, parking lot, open grass, or well anywhere. Gross. 

Do not contradict me without knowledge or facts. You are welcome to your opinion - if it is an informed view. Everyone can have an opinion. Opinions are not facts.

Please don’t be late. Though, if I know you to be chronically late, I will allow myself time to read the book, order the wine, and talk to the other patrons. But, if I depend on you to be on time, please don’t be late.

Bouquets - please don’t give me dead things. And, if you’re going to give me a dead thing, make sure it’s already in a vase.

UPS “Brokerage Fees” which are often 1/3 or more costly than the duties and taxes

People with the attitude, “I had to go through it, so now so do you.” Why? Seriously. “The rising tide lifts all the boats” attributed to J.F.K. is more my speed.

Rewatching or rereading things. There is so much great content - why waste time? I barely have time to explore all of the new-to-me stuff out there!  Move onward! See more. Read more. Explore more! 

Photos that are taken without a clean lens - it’s a simple wipe! Worse? Posting them. 

Sticky table and bar tops (triggered at every meal while at J.W. Marriott in Muskoka - it was CRAZY!) 

Disrespect, lies, projection and resentments are your issues, don’t make them mine.

Don't ignore what I've said and continue to push me to say what you want to hear. It’s not going to happen.

I can appreciate spirited children; I raised four singlehandedly. Please do not allow yours to “free range” raise themselves around me.

Baseball caps at the table. (Even my Bill, who constantly wore a baseball cap, took it off at the table.)

I’m sure there’s more - I just have to ask my kids. In there meantime, there you go, a road map to tick me off!