When all seems wrong with my little slice of the world and I am frustrated by my inability to make it right, I realize that I can’t change the world, I can only change myself or my attitude.
For example, one of my favorite interludes is a Sunday morning visit to Panera for hazelnut coffee and a bear claw. I settle in with my book, either the one I am reading or the one I am writing. I enjoy the low classical music playing in the background and the gentle hum of soft voices engaged in conversation. I find peace and contentment for a brief span of time.
Occasionally, however, my peace is disturbed and I become a grouch. To my mind there is nothing worse than a rude, loud month patron who feels entitled to talk at a volume loud enough to be heard throughout the entire restaurant. (Isn’t it amazing how we dislike most the failings of which we ourselves are guilty? I must work very hard to modify my own voice when dining with others, which may be why it is best for me to dine alone.)
Since I am a struggling writer, I am always looking for ideas. This phenomenon has brought about an attitude change on my part. Now, when this type of disturbance takes place, instead of getting angry I unabashedly eavesdrop on the speaker. It is amazing the things you can learn about a stranger you have never met. I take notes with the intention of perhaps using some of the dialog or the characteristics of the speaker. Indeed the speaker may well become an irritating character in a future novel. I have found this speech behavior occurring on BART trains, Muni buses, waiting rooms at doctor’s offices or any number of other places where people find themselves with too little to occupy their time. On many occasions this loud speech is into the mouth piece of cell phones. Apparently the users believe that the person on the other end of the conversation is hearing impaired.
So now that I recognize I may become an irritating character in someone else’s novel, I work hard at keeping my mouth shut and my ears open.
Live long and prosper!
