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One of the jobs I had while travelling overseas many years ago was working in the catering division at London Zoo.  I still recall cleaning up after people in the self-service restaurant.  Many of the patrons were obviously well-off financially but had no manners.  They seldom acknowledged me sweeping the food off the floor around their feet – food their unruly children had thrown there – or wiping congealed baked beans off their table.  It was a humbling experience and I vowed never to ignore those whose job it is to make our lives that little bit easier.  As a consequence I always make a point of politely acknowledging anyone serving or clearing up after me.

As our society gets more stressed and irritation levels sky-rocket, I like to remind myself of one of Robin Sharma’s tips, which is to love your irritations.  Look for the lesson you can learn about yourself in those that irritate you the most.  It takes a bit of effort to make the mind shift but it will be worthwhile.  

I have included Robin Sharma’s snippet below as I believe that taking this view of those who irritate and anger us is far more beneficial to us that carrying around a load of frustration and anger.

Here’s to living your inspired life,

Anne

“Love your Irritations”

(From “The Greatness Guide” by Robin Sharma)

"The things that drive you crazy are actually giant opportunities.  The people who press your buttons are actually your greatest teachers.  The issues that make you angry are actually your greatest gifts.  Be grateful for them. 

The people or circumstances that take you out of your power have extraordinary value: they reveal your limiting beliefs, fears and false assumptions.  The psychologist Carl Jung once said: “Everything that irritates us in others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”

How much would you pay someone who promised that they could pinpoint exactly what is holding you back from your greatest life? How much would it be worth to get intimate information and intelligence on why you are not exactly at the place where you’ve always dreamed of being?  The things that irritate, annoy and anger you are entry points into your evolution and elevation as a human being. They are signposts for what you need to work on and the fears you need to face. 

You can blame the people who trigger you and make it all about them.  Or you can do the wise thing and look deeply into yourself to discover the reasons for your negative reaction.  Use the challenges to grow self-awareness.  Because how can you overcome a fear you are not even aware of?  And how can you transcend an insecurity you don’t even know you have?

As you begin to shed light on your personal weaknesses and take responsibility for them, you actually begin the very process of shedding them.  Shadows exposed to the light begin to disappear.  You become stronger.  More powerful.  More of who you were meant to be.  You begin to see the world through a different set of eyes.

Kahlil Gibran wrote:  “I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am grateful to those teachers.” 

So the next time a co-worker sets you off, a teenager gets you going, or a rude waiter in a restaurant makes you angry, thank them for the gift they just gave you.  Because, in truth, they really did."

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