I had wanted my first post after a hiatus from blogging for about 4 months or so, to be more positive. I was waiting for the right time, right reason, right topic. But what happened to me just an hour ago has pushed me to write again.
I lost my temper over an inconsiderate SOB of a driver (young and reckless of a fool) who cut me off on my blind side as I was driving towards the exit ramp of Trinoma's parking lot. I went down and confronted him (showed him the Hulktress that was in me) as I caught up to him at the toll gate. This I did in front of my mom (who was my passenger and who would have been the most injured one of us all had he hit us.) Do you know what riled me the most? His "what did i do?" face as he drove off like nothing happened. But what got me to calm down after several minutes of ranting while driving was my mom saying "What if he had a gun and shot you down, then what?" That made me want to sink into my seat from shame. Shame because I had permitted my very short temper get the best of me. Shame because anger made me forget the countless of times she and my dad kept reminding me after i got sick that I should learn to control my temper.
I remember posting a blog several years back in my Multiply account which my Dad was able to read, He confronted me about it soon after as we had our usual video conference. He reminded me of our "let 10 id**ts pass rule" wherein every time we encounter SOBs on the road, we should let 10 of them pass before we get angry. By the time 10 of them had crossed our path, we already forgot about the others. He actually taught me a lot, the rest I may blog about next time.
As I reflect on what happened earlier, this phrase came into mind: "be the better person." Dad said that a lot. He applied it to a lot of situations himself. He inculcated this into our being, leading us by example. I am human, thus I stumble. I stumbled tonight and I permitted my anger to break loose. I would like to commit to be the better person. I will keep it in mind all the time to help me become a better person. I will strive not to stumble again, but if I do, I am sure he will do something again to remind me.
