Cultivate patience – especially in situations where you
have no control over what’s going on!
Two evenings ago, I was riding in an auto-rickshaw
through rush hour traffic. We got stuck in a massive traffic jam that last over
30 minutes. The heat and humidity was maddening. People were impatient in their
vehicles and kept honking in vain, adding to the chaos. Not a vehicle budged. The
fumes from the exhaust of the vehicles made the already sweltering heat even more
difficult to bear. In such times, I have learnt to focus my attention on
something other than what causes me concern or what remains out of my control.
So, I kept chatting with my wife or checking cricket scores on my phone or
simply watched my breathing. A couple of times that my mind strayed to complain
about the heat, din and mess we found ourselves in, I brought it back to attend
on my breathing. Not everyone around was so forgiving. People were complaining,
honking or were trying to elbow other vehicles in the hope that some vehicle ahead
would make way and we could move.
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| Chennai moves a Heart: Picture Courtesy/Times of India |
The next morning’s papers had this moving story
on how Chennai halted traffic that evening to save a Life! In a beautiful example
of precision and coordination between surgeons of two hospitals and the city traffic
police, a medical team transported a heart from the Government General Hospital
near Chennai Central to Fortis Malar Hospitals in Adayar, about 12 kms away, in
less than 14 minutes by creating a “green corridor” – that is, red-light free
access. For those unfamiliar with Chennai, it’s important to know that the road
connecting the two hospitals is a key arterial road, usually carrying heavy
traffic. That the police, doctors and the people of Chennai (unwittingly) cooperated
to free up that arterial road, which lead the other roads feeding it getting
choked and me and my wife getting into the traffic jam we were caught in, for
saving a Life is obviously a great feat.
When I reflected on the background to that
insane traffic jam we were stuck in, I realized how insignificant our 30-minute
wait really was. And I sure all those who honked and complained, fretted and
fumed, may have felt that way too.
This reflection led to a reiteration of a
learning I have had. There will be times when people, events, situations, will
be beyond your control. Trying to control that which is uncontrollable is a
sure prescription for anxiety and stress. What can you do if you are stuck in a
traffic jam and nothing’s moving – actually, when nothing’s movable? What can
you do if you miss a flight? What can you do if you have lost your home keys
and are locked out for the night? What can you do when you can’t do something
about a thing, person, event or situation? Instead of boiling over, focus on
your breathing. Use the event or situation as an opportunity to practise
patience. When you are patient with someone or a situation, you are peaceful.
When you are at peace, you are happy. It is as simple as that! Try practising patience in a stress-filled, pressure-cooker situation
the next time you encounter one. Believe me, you will feel lighter and more
cheerful!
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