Spots

     After a frustrating morning of fighting traffic, I wanted to stop for a medium Diet Coke and three chocolate chip cookies at McD’s, (yes, this is my breakfast sometimes – please don’t judge), but being so engrossed in the traffic that I just drove to my work parking lot; I wasn’t surprised as I sat down at my desk to notice two big white spots on my stockings.  Yes, I said stockings, and No, I don’t like wearing them but believe it or not, it’s part of the dress code.  I just stared at them for a moment and wondered what else was going to happen as clearly this was, “One of those days”.  I decided I would have to go out at lunchtime and fight the traffic for a second time to grab a new pair, and I wasn’t happy about it. 

     As I went on with the endless typing, I periodically looked down, saw the spots, and each time got a little more irritated.  Not only did I not want to go out at lunch, this was the third pair of stockings I’d gone through in one week!  For those of you who don’t know, this is a big deal; not only is it a pain to find a brand you like, but unless you find them on sale and with coupons, they’re like six or seven dollars a pair, and one thumb placed incorrectly while putting them on, can ruin them before you’ve even begun your day.

     While standing at the copier, a co-worker asked what I was doing for lunch; and after telling her she looked down and said, “What spots?”  I went to point them out and did a double take.  They weren’t there!  I looked at the other leg and sure enough, nothing.  Weird.  She then rolled her eyes and shook her head smiling.  We laughed it off and I went back to my desk.

     I continued working, but still confused at the situation, I looked down and sure enough…the spots were back!  This time I moved my leg to get a better look and they disappeared.  I moved again and it was this time I realized the “spots” were created by the sun peeking through the shades behind me!  I was now the one rolling my eyes and shaking my head. 

     I spent a good part of the morning being irritated about something that didn’t actually exist.  The sun was peeking through and I was so wrapped up in the spots sadly, I didn’t even see it!  I then realized this was a very real example of life.  Often I have fretted about something because of how it appeared, and yet when all was said and done, the outcome was not at all what I had imagined.  I also realized that many times the “spots” of life are the very things, which once worked through, allow me to see more clearly. 

     We all have "spots", real or imagined.  How much better life would be if we would take the time, prior to getting irritated, to examine them - making sure they really exist before we waste precious time that could have been better spent basking in the sun.