How to Lengthen you Fuse

Have you ever had that passenger that asked to be dropped off exactly, right in front, one steps from the entrance of their desired location and you are sitting behind the wheel, looking at the time and the traffic, and realizing that just by satisfying that wish, you were going to be twenty minutes late for your own appointment? I’m sure every driver can relate and I sense the simultaneous furrowing of brows as you pause to recall your own recent experience with that person.

This morning was my turn. My fuse was already short since I missed my early morning meditation session, so when the passenger I was giving a lift insisted on being let out right in front of her workplace, on a morning when I was already short on time, I looked at her and said in a very annoyed voice, “just jump out here”.
To my consternation, she looked and me and replied, “but it’s just there, just drive up a little bit more.”

I had no choice. I could not very well open the door and push her out so I gritted my teeth and drove up to her preferred let-off spot. She got out, smiled, and thanked me. I was not feeling gracious enough to say you’re welcome but I did it anyway and quickly sped off.

As I drove, I asked myself the questions why was I so annoyed? Did I feel taken advantage of? Was it that I felt the passenger was being particularly unreasonable? What happened to Zen me?

By the time I pulled up to my office building I knew why. I had gotten knocked off-balanced by such a seemingly simple act and it was because I did not start my morning right.

Meditation lengthens the fuse. It helps to maintain a calmness that, if we are lucky, carries us through the day. Little things are no bother and big things are little bother.

Whenever you are confronted with that passenger in your life, a lengthened fuse, grown through quiet meditation can be your salvation.