This morning, there were two things on the brain.
First, breakfast.
I don’t normally like to eat and read all at the same time, but I did just that today.
Well. That is, if you count studying the t-stops to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston as “reading.”
Part of the dietetic internship involves traveling to various places and listening to different lecturers and speakers. Today, Beth Israel Hospital in Boston was having a day-long lecture on the topic of Obesity (and how to best manage it,) self esteem issues in the adolescent, and more.
This all brings me to the second thing on my brain: making my way through Boston. A solo journey. Normally, this kind of thing is deemed as fun and exciting, and it really doesn’t bother me in the slightest. If I get lost, I get lost. What’s the worst that could happen, really? I end up in Canada? That’s okay. I like Canada.
(FYI, this is not my own picture. And Boston is not currently seeing this much sunlight. 😉 )
Even though I’m not afraid of getting lost, I do hate, hate, hate showing up late to any sort of event or conference. It’s one of my own personal little pet peeves. And so, with a time schedule looming over me, I felt slightly anxious and nervous.
That was when my dad asked me with a smile, “Sarah, it’s not a big deal. What are they going to do if you show up a little late? Yell at you?” I thought about this, realizing how silly I was for worrying about things that were completely out of my control (what if the T is running late??? What if I get a flat tire and can’t make it on time? What…)
I thank my dad for always having the ability to just shrug something off, because that is exactly what I decided to do from that point on. And then I just enjoyed the trip into Boston. Reading during a 30 minute ride on the subway. People watching. Feeling deliciously independent as I walked into the lecture hall of Beth Israel Hospital (completely on time, I might add.) Soaking up all the little bits of information like a sponge. Walking home with a tall soy gingerbread latte from Starbucks.
Delicious.
Lesson Learned: Relax. Breath. And realize that it’s okay to not always have control over everything. This is what makes life interesting. 😀
Question: How do you handle life’s little stresses?
Running To Slow Things Down 
I get frantic when I am lost on my own. It never really hits me until I am actually lost… and then my heart starts beating like crazy and I can’t stop shaking. Realistically I know that I can just ask someone and everything will most likely turn out fine… but it still drives me nuts! I usually call my mom who calms me down, much like your dad for you 🙂
AMEN girl!! I get soo stressed if im late or if things dont go as planned.. but you are so right.. it makes life interesting!
You should definitely relax, girl!
I’m sure everything’s going to be ok!
🙂
I’m a little OCD about needing to be on time, too – so much that to me, being “on time” is late, and “early” is on time. I really wish I’d stop, because I’m pretty much the only person on this schedule and always end up waiting a good twenty minutes for whatever it is I’m showing up for/meeting/etc!
I’m glad you were able to relax and enjoy Boston. I love that city!
I’m not good at relaxing when it comes to stuff like this either. Though, I’ve found that the older I get the easier it seems to be. 🙂
I HATE being late, too – especially if it’s work-related. Unfortunately, I haven’t found a way to deal with it in an adult manner (yet) – and I usually just cry like a toddler and stress out completely.
I try and picture myself after the stressful event/meeting/trip, or an hour into it. I ask myself, will I care then? will the things im strssing about matter? the answer is usually no! but sometimes i just have to distract myself and accept that i am stressed but not feed into it by thinking about it, i just trust the stress will pass and everything will be ok!
x
Amen! You are so right. 😀
Yikes, I totally forgot to give you my charlie card. Sorry about that! Well, it looks like you still made it to Boston, without it. 🙂
Ahhh I also get incredibly stressed out over getting lost and not arriving on time when taking transit – which is funny, because in most aspects of life I am very relaxed!
Glad you made it on time and enjoyed the journey 🙂
And yeah, ending up in Canada wouldn’t be such a bad thing, would it? :p
Relaxing and breathing is how I like to handle the little stresses too. And to keep it in perspective.
I hate being late too. That’s why I’m almost always early: I give myself extra wiggle room, just in case the unexpected happens (subway is delayed or whatever).
Wouldn’t it b nice if we control everything? Haha