Beverly Sills

Many years ago I listened to a set of tapes by Dr. Julie White advising women on how to build their self-images and self-projection. She had discussed a recurring frustration which she was able to turn around: waiting on an interminable line at the bank (pre-ATM days). Her self-talk suggested that she use it as an opportunity to practice poise. What a concept! Using what is to create what you want in your life. The Universe hands us unexpected educational moments daily. We can decide how to view them.

Julie’s words came back to me this morning. The two errands on my list, not of my own choosing but determined by the new moon or planetary distribution on this July day, were to get a new cord at Verizon to remedy my inability to synch my Palm and computer contact management database, and to exchange my router which seemed to be creating issues with my VOIP (voice over internet protocol–using the computer lines for phone connections). That meant long lines, wondering if I had the right passwords and if the account was in my name or my husband’s which may prohibit me from making the transaction at all.

I actually said a prayer before going into Verizon. Not only am I impatient, I’m also judgmental, critical and self-righteous. My mind says, “There should be more people available to handle this huge line. They’re not going to be able to help me. I shouldn’t have to spend all this time on my phone/modem.” Yadda, yadda, yadda. I don’t want to be like that. I don’t like those pieces of me. I want them removed.

Something must have happened in that moment I took to access my higher self, because when I walked into the phone store, I was the only customer waiting for technical service. The gentleman behind the counter heard my request and promptly handed me a new cord for synching my phone and computer. I was on a roll. I drove to Optonline and received a new router also within minutes of my arrival.

I’ve heard over and over again that we can choose our attitude. A memorable quote from Beverly Sills came back to me. She mentioned in a radio interview that a friend asked her incredulously, “You mean you have to get up at 6 o’clock every morning to practice your scales for two hours?” (or something along those lines…). To which Sills replied, “No. I get to wake up at that time to be able to perform later.” She saw it as a privilege, not a chore.

Today I got to take care of my communications issues and was blessed with the freedom and flexibility in my day to be able to do just that.

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