O.k. so I must be a bad luck magnet this month.  Today, I locked myself out of my car.  Before you start thinking I’m just a huge ditz who can lock herself out of a room with no doors or windows, let me tell you that I’ve never locked myself out of this car; and I’ve had it now for seven years.  I’ve never locked myself out of this house; and I’ve lived here for four.  Okay, so I’ve locked myself out of my former cars and my old townhouse a couple of times- but only a couple of times!  I never relied that much on AAA.  And you know what?  When I switched to Geico, I inadvertently signed up for their roadside service even though I had AAA.  When I found out- I decided to keep it because it’s only something like $8 every 6 months; and now I am sooooo glad I did!  I’ve used AAA three times this year already, so today, I called Geico and Pop-A-Lock was there in 15 minutes.  A minor inconvenience.

A minor inconvenience, and that’s exactly how I treated it.  I didn’t get angry or irritated or feel sorry for myself; I acted as if I were forced to, like, wait in line at the DMV.   I recall having locked myself out of my car in college- it was such a huge, traumatic ordeal for me (the former drama queen).  I think that’s growth!

A friend gave me a book a few years ago called, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff- and it’s all Small Stuff”.   A simple statement, but so true.  It’s all small stuff.  Your husband leaves the seat up: small stuff.  Your child comes home smoking a cigarette, sporting  multiple piercings and tattoos:  small stuff.  You lose your job: small stuff.  Your house blows down and has to be rebuilt- small stuff.  Your house blows down and has to be rebuilt but you have no homeowner’s insurance:  I’d classify that as “getting-bigger stuff”, but still small stuff.  In this case, you just have to trust God and go on to plan B.  The only thing I can think of that is not “small stuff” is dealing with an illness or an accident inflicted upon you or your loved ones.  That would be a likely cause of major stress; and duly so!  You can replace your job or your belongings, but not your limbs or organs or your loved ones.  So anyway, I do hope you think about this blog the next time your new puppy tinkles on the floor or your boss yells at you.  It’s all small stuff.     (And I must remember this myself, too,  when I get hit with some bigger crap.)

Here's hoping you have a no-stuff day! :)