The Little Things

With my busy work schedule, the last thing I need is to see chunks of spam or forwarded mail when I access my email messages. On a hectic morning, as I was deleting these unwelcomed mail as usual, a forwarded mail titled “9 -11” caught my attention.  The contents are hardly frivolous and had since been a useful reminder for me to curb my impatience and anger in my daily life and especially when I was about to lose my cool behind the wheel. It reminds me to stay cool and not get irritated when I have delayed services in a restaurant or a boutique.

I even learned to feel sincerely thankful when I could not get a booking on a flight or when my taxi was late. Read on and you will also learn from these “little things” how to stay calm and unruffled by the irritations in our daily lives. Frankly, I cannot remember who sent me this message, or if these “ little things” were made up or it may be true, but if applied philosophically, it certainly will make a real difference in your lives.

After September 11th, one company invited the remaining members of other companies who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their available office space.

At a morning meeting, the head of security told stories of why these people were alive and allthe stories were just “little things”.

As you might know, the head of the company survived that day because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her alarm clock didn’t go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the New Jersey Turnpike because of an auto accident.

One of them missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

One’s car wouldn’t start.

One went back to answer the telephone.

One had a child that dawdled and didn’t get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn’t get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning the various means to get to work but before he got there he developed a blister on his foot. He   stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone all the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.”

Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can’t seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don’t get mad or frustrated.  Remember that all those annoying little things may have their possible purpose.

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