Mind the Ripples...Handle Dominoes with Care & Tell the Butterflies to Sleep

I admit - today, I am guilty of playing the role of "irate customer".  The scourge of Customer Service Representatives and a blight upon the face of the socially pleasant environment. I was curt, impatient and plainly put - unpleasant.  GAH.

Now, to place this in perspective, I realize my temper got that way to begin with because my day was not off to a great start.  I woke up and found it was difficult to walk because my ankle decides to unfriend me - for some reason, the pain felt like I sprained my right foot - which was odd because I just spent the last 6 hours asleep - it was my ankle that caused me to drag my right leg and walk like I was Quasimodo personified.  Then the cold which hasn't gone away, followed closely by a short hack of a cough.  To top that off, my mom decides to rattle off a litany of things and questions ranging from - why I still had a cold, what time did I get home the night before or what was wrong with my ankle and what was being done about the internet connection that wasn't working?!  All before I've had my cup of coffee.

So - that Customer Service Agent that I spoke to on the phone became the hapless victim of my foul mood.  I was asking questions like - "so how long should I wait till the internet connection is repaired? Forever?" and I kept getting called "Sir" which added to my already dark mood.  There was an attempt to correct this, which really, didn't work - Okay, sir. GOD.

After having calmed down somewhat (read: had coffee) and finally the internet connection is back - I know that it wasn't right for me to take out my anger on the Customer Service Agent.

Like a pebble thrown into a pond, that caused a ripple effect - the ugliness of my morning seemed to spread out incrementally...the wrong domino was pushed and caused the rest to fall haphazardly out of place and the butterfly flew the wrong way.

I stared longingly at my bottle of anti-anxiety medication, being on the verge of tears that I wanted to replicate a dramatic scene from a bad film where I pushed all objects off the table, pulled items from the shelf and broke a few pieces of china to express my anger. Gee, being bipolar can be *such* a chore.  In the end, I realized that I'd have to pick up after myself anyway, so I didn't bother with making a mess.  I just took the pill, a deep breath, and played happy music - loudly.

It also helped that I had really good friends who (via sms) kept me calm and fairly rational.

This has not been one of my better days - I am reminded that I should be extra careful about taking my anger out on those who do not deserve such ill treatment, and to tread lightly and with as much grace possible given circumstances which make me feel less than happy shiny. 

I hope my actions have not caused a ripple effect of unpleasantness - and if it has - I am doing all I can to fix it.  I have to start by remaining calm.  Then by holding my peace.  Then I will keep on listening to the happy music till my mood takes a turn for the better.  If all that fails, then I think I'll go back to sleep till it is Sunday, or September. (hears the song "When September Ends" by Green Day playing in her head)

It is still all good, and The Universe STILL has a plan...I mustn't forget that.

Now WHAT is it? Hmmmmm.