Tuesday, September 21, 2010

But I haven't lost my cool!

"Give me your phone!", my husband says.

"Why?" I ask.

"I've lost mine."

"Well, you're not getting mine! I don't want you losing it too!" I reply. (See, I wasn't born yesterday!)

"I want to call my phone and see if I can find it that way," he patiently explains. He dials his number. Listens to hear it ring.

Nothing.

He lets out a disgusted sigh and heads out to the garage to look there.

I know what this means, people. Because we've been through this same thing before. With other items. Wallets...keys...glasses...coffee cups...hats...spaniels...toddlers...money. Spaniels with money.

(okay, that last one was made up. I'll admit it.)

It means, quite simply, that 'm going to have to find his phone. You see, I'm much better at finding stuff. Seriously. Stick me in the mountains with a barrel of whiskey or something around my neck and I'll locate some lost skiers for you. I'm that good!

But if I honestly look at myself...well, I should tell you, my friends...that I can lose things just as easily as my husband.

In the past I've lost my place in a book because I was interrupted 452 times by children wanting to know important pieces of information. Questions like, do we have any glitter? What happens when you flush a Lego creation? Can I feed the dog peanut butter?

I've lost my place in line at the grocery store because I suddenly remembered that I needed tumeric.

I've lost my voice cheering for my favorite team.

I've lost track of time sipping coffee at the Steeple, chatting with a friend.

I've lost my temper trying to parallel park my minivan.

In fact, the one thing I DON'T seem to be able to lose is ten pounds. Go figure.

However, what I can lose the quickest is my perspective. Especially if I begin to worry. Looks a little like this:

'What if my husband can't find his phone? It's a company cell phone. He'll have to pay for it! We don't have the money for that! I'll have to get a second job and sell the dining room set on craigslist! And what else has he lost? What if he loses his job over this? Where will we live? What if we have to live in the minivan? Worse yet, what if I have to parallel park???'

See what I mean? When I worry...I get lost.

My friends, worry doesn't help. It's a poor excuse for control. You're better off if you sit down, take a deep breath, and stay in 'the now'. That's how you keep your perspective. Don't go rushing off into the future...just sit still for a moment.

Wait a second. Am I sitting on something? Hey! Guess what? I found his phone! What did I tell you? I'm good!