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! :)