This Is the Stuff

Did you know that Volkswagens have locks on their hub cabs so that tires cannot be removed with standard tools? Well, after the auto shop could not find our key (prob bc the last auto shop accidentally kept it), I had to purchase a new one for a whopping $27.00 (we’re talking about a 3″x3″ piece of metal here. I had to pull every rubber cover off of every bolt with a deformed wire coat hanger to find the lock bolt then count the 16 points on it in the rain before I could ask if the dealer had its key in stock.) then I drove back to the auto shop to get a new tire.

On my drive home, I was still stressed and frustrated. I started thinking- this problem is way to small to affect me this greatly. I said a prayer then thought, this would be an ideal time for Francesca Battistelli’s This is the Stuff to come on the radio. I turned the station from NPR to Star 99.1 and believe it or not, the first chorus was starting: This is the stuff that drives me crazy… In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I’m blessed… It might not be what I would choose, but this is the stuff You use. I felt better instantly and even laughed at myself.

Lesson: A lot of stress and frustration is self-inflicted. If I choose to pray as Francesca sings, “break me of impatience and conquer my frustrations,” then I will not be easily angered or unduly stressed to the point of popping a blood vessel. Rather, I will be optimistic, patient and have a less permeable joyfulness. That sounds like a much easier way to live and a better way to not beget a heart condition. I will pray this prayer more often.

Click for the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqqdA8LHN7I&feature=fvwrel