Inspiration GalDon't Wait… Make A Change

By Inspiration Gal | January 31, 2011 | Relationships

I really hate waiting in line. Yes, no one likes waiting for anything, but for me, waiting in line just drives me crazy. I become irritable and crabby, and by the time IΓÇÖm at the front of the line, IΓÇÖm truly a force to be reckoned with.

Waiting in a checkout line used to ruin my whole day. IΓÇÖd be so uptight about the twenty or so minutes that I spent on line that I couldnΓÇÖt get out of a bad mood for the rest of it.

One beautiful sunny Spring Saturday I found myself in a horrible funk. I had to go grocery shopping and I realized my foul mood was from the anticipation of waiting on that checkout line. It finally dawned on me that waiting in line was taking a toll on my life. Still, I needed groceries or IΓÇÖd be force to eat my dogΓÇÖs chow, which wasnΓÇÖt really an option.

I decided to bite the bullet and headed to the grocery store. As I pulled into the jam-packed parking lot at around 3 p.m., I saw a sign above the store that changed my life, “Open 24 Hours A Day.”

Why was I going to the store on a Saturday afternoon at the peak of madness when I could go at 3 a.m., or more reasonably, 6 a.m.? I zoomed back out of the parking lot, grabbed a Subway sandwich for the day’s meal, went home and set my alarm for 5:30 a.m.

I returned to the grocery store at six the next morning. It was empty and quiet, and there was barely a line. I left the store feeling happy and relaxed!

Was getting up early on a weekend to avoid a line worth it? You bet! Was spending $5 at Subway to get a quick meal better than waiting in line to buy the ingredients to make a sandwich? Yes, because even though I spent a little more money I was happy and calm, so it was worth every penny.

I now start my Saturday mornings grocery shopping at the crack of dawn. I fly through check out and simply go back to sleep when IΓÇÖm done.

Why it took so long for me to figure out a way to rid myself of waiting in line and ruining my weekend is beyond me, but thankfully I did. We all have things that bother us, and sometimes we let them take over our lives. As of today, I want you to identify those things and make a plan to change them. If you become irritable when you are hungry, walk with snacks. If the sound of someoneΓÇÖs voice bothers you, avoid them or stick to texts and email communication. If you hate the sound of someone popping gum, offer them a mint instead!

ItΓÇÖs your life, and you are in control. DonΓÇÖt let anything steal your joy!

Choose to be Happy,
Inspiration Gal

photo credit: renjith krishnan/FDP.net