I feel proud that at this point in my life, that I know the difference between an irritation, an annoyance, and a problem. There are lots of things that irritate and annoy me. In the grand scheme of things, they are not major. Most of them I can get pass, ignore, or avoid.
People that I find annoying and irritating, I limit my contact with. When I’m being my best Candelaria, I try to figure out if the issue is them or me? Am I just impatient? (It seems as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become less patient.) Am I in a bad mood? Am I envious in some way? Can I get out of their way? Might they feel the same about me.
Is it tedium? Some things and some processes are tedious. I try to handle these situations by plunging in and doing the tedious thing quickly and completely so I can be done with it. Sometimes, I practice meditative breathing as I do the tedious thing.
Problems are different. Problems often show up unexpectedly and in full-force. Many times, they are outside of one’s control. Many times, they require collaboration and counsel from others to tackle. Sometimes they feel insurmountable. “If you’re going through hell, keep going,” is a quote I’ve heard attributed to Sir Winston Churchill. Truer words were never spoken.
This is a problem. What chu’ gonna do, Candelaria? Keep tackling the problems. I’ve learned not to ignore problems that need addressing or to only delay handling for a day or two as I build my strength and figure my strategy.
Aging is an irritation, it is often annoying, and its problems multiply. Right now, thankfully, blessedly, irritations and annoyance are in the small circumference of my immediate concern. Problems are being held at bay and avoided. Knowing the difference keeps me from bogging down in stress, regret, and second guessing.
As my grandmother, whom we called Mother, advised her family, “Be thankful for what it ain’t.” I am Mother, I am. (RIP and RIG).
<><><>
If you like this post, you might also enjoy: Bor-ing, Bles-sing