When The Moment Isn't Good...

Today started like most days. I got up poured some iced coffee, orange juice and ate a bowl of Barbara's oat cereal with rice milk.

Then onto the computer to begin my work day. Posted some ads then scheduled open houses on my website, the NY Times, streeteasy and OLR. I then confirmed a 6pm lease signing and began scheduling other appointments as they came in via email and my phone. It was shaping up to be quite a busy day. Four appointments and a lease signing and it wasn't even 10am!

Some mornings it can be difficult to disengage from the computer, today was one of them! I had some packages to pick up at the post office and one to mail. So I pulled myself away and set out for the post office on 165th street and Amsterdam. On most days this place can be a sort of hell. Today I was able to retrieve my two packages quite easily after a 10 minute wait, not bad.. Next I stepped into another que and after about 10 minutes was at the window! Here is where my luck changed.

So first I realize stamps are now 44 cents. I think, I just mailed a few envelopes with the old 42 centers! The clerk informs me that my package will require me to fill out a customs form. Oh. As I turn I see there is a parking officer pulling up to my truck. Hmmm. Is school out? If it's not I am parked illegally. I decline filling out the form, grab the box and run for my truck, calling for the agent's attention.

I get there before he even exits his van. Relief. Not quite, he begins to scan my registration on the window. I protest, explaining I was not sure if the school year had ended and anyway here I am! I sincerely thought it had. As I realize I am about to get a ticket, anger begins to stir at what I perceive to be the injustice of it. Why pick on the citizenry unfairly? I know you have a job to do, but let's be reasonable, no reason to go beyond the beyonds.

By this time my mind is starting to get quite "creative". I am going down, but why not without a few fireworks? I examine my thoughts; they ain't pretty. Anger won't solve this problem. (I'm writing this from the 1 train, a born-again christian has just entered. He is screaming the world is ending, take shelter in Jesus! Oh shit, here comes that anger again). Oh, back to that other thought...I really have not been angry in quite some time but this tested my patience for some reason. I was fully aware of what was happening to me and was able to remain somewhat present as I examined my thoughts and feelings. I did toss out one unnecessary comment as he departed, "Dude you gotta get a life." Know that insult did not reduce the the cost of the ticket, nor make me feel better.

So, this made me think of something I read by Ram Dass: "You think you're enlightened? Go live with you parents for a week." Good point. I laughed to myself, this could easily be applied to an encounter with a NYC Parking Officer. In hindsight, I should not have parked in a questionable area. I cannot control how others will react/act, but I can control how I act.