Being Patient When Things Get Broken

​Do you ever have trouble letting go of blame, resentment or criticism when things get damaged? As we have explored over the past weeks, we can use the technique of letting go of blame and resentment of others and ourselves when things don't go as planned or when things go missing. I had the opportunity to practice this same letting go when I discovered the window of our car had been smashed while while writing last weeks blog. 

I was sitting in the sun in Echuca, writing when I received a phone call from the man who has been mowing our lawns fortnightly for the past 25 years. He told me that he had just noticed the side window of our Polo car was smashed and asked if I had been aware of it. 'No', was my reply, 'it was fine when we left that morning'. My mind went to all kinds of hypothesising about possible causes and suspects, including him, someone attempting to break into the car and myself for leaving a cloth bag visible in the front seat. Fortunately I remembered this was not helpful and recalled what I had only just written!

• Hypothesising about possible causes and blame was ruining my peace of mind and
• If you can do something about it then do it and don't waste time worrying.

So I could let go of blame judgment and worry, and instead I could ...

• Reassure the gardener it did not matter how it happened and that it was not a problem. And thank him for ringing me so I could organise to get it fixed on our way home.
• Decide it had been an accident by who knows who and let it go 

 As the Dalai Lama says 'We often add to our pain and suffering (and that of others too) by being over sensitive and over-reacting to minor things and sometimes taking things too personally'.

So, I let it go and had faith it would all work out, and it did.
On the way home I rang Windscreen's O'Brien. The power of advertising allowed me to recall their jingle from years ago and I am so happy I did. A very nice man, Victor, took my call and was so helpful and patient with me, even when I could not recall our car registration number and insurance policy details! He asked me if we had glass insurance cover, 'Oh no I am pretty sure we don't' I said. Victor kindly asked me if he could check it for me and I agreed with little optimism. He came back on the line a few minutes later to cheerfully tell us we did have the cover and that we could take the car to Camberwell the following day to have the glass replaced for free!

How amazing, I was so grateful to myself for letting go of judgment and criticism so quickly. I was also grateful to the gardener for his call, Victor for his patience and kind persistence in checking our insurance, Sam for helping me to punch out and clean up the glass and the friendly, skilled tradesman who installed the window and cleaned up so well. I was thankful of so many opportunities to practice patience, letting go of blame and judgment, and gratitude. 

Next month and in December too I plan to focus our blogs on Gratitude. Being grateful is an instant way to feel happier about everything and is the gateway to our contentment.
  
Have a great week. Thank you all. 
Kind Regards and Best Wishes, 
Maree xx ​