Today I had a lot of “Ahimsa Moments.” Here are some examples:
I hate this stupid weather, it’s too cold out – Ahimsa.
Why is the train so crowded? Oh no, don’t sit next to me… – Ahimsa.
Great, every person on this elevator needs to stop on a different floor, we’re getting a grand freakin’ tour of the building – Ahimsa.
Man, why is it so cold in here today? – Ahimsa.
Yes, Figure 1 is on the first page, but if you’d looked at pages 2 and 3 you’d have found Figures 2 and 3 and not had to ask me this stupid question – Ahimsa.
I’m sending you the art to review. Not like I think you’ll actually review it any time this week. – Ahimsa.
WHY is it so COLD in here?! – Ahimsa.
All these emails, I never get anything done! – Ahimsa.
We’re all here waiting for the train, you don’t need to push – hey, watch it, jerkface – Ahimsa!
Yes, I’m eating pizza for dinner, so there. – Ahimsa.
ACK, I always leave everything to the last minute! – Ahimsa.
I hate getting stuck behind a bus, I’m going to be late! – Ahiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimsa.
I HATE this stupid carpet, it’s like a dog hair magnet, why can’t they have hardwood floors like any other yoga studio – Ahimsa.
Thanks, dude, if you’re going to come in late to class at least shut the door behind you – Ahimsa, ahimsa, ahimsa.
And that’s just a quick survey. I got cheesed off by so many more trivial things today I can’t even count them all. And now that I’m trying to pay more attention to my thought patterns, it seems like I’m getting annoyed or frustrated or mad even more than usual. I know that’s not true (it’s just that noticing it calls more attention to it), but it’s actually still a little scary: this is how my brain usually works, and I experience this level of frustration on a daily basis. I’m not sure how to effect a change. I want to change. I’m hoping that for now, noticing the pattern and calling myself on it will be enough to start.
Rox Does Yoga 
Thanks Roxanne for this lesson. I need to be practicing Ahimsa too! xxx
Don’t we all! 🙂
Are you familiar with the cognitive behavioral therapy technique “alternative appraisal”? It’s the concept of coming up with a different reasoning for how you feel about something. Usually it’s about taking a step back and trying to have a big-picture approach to things, or a least a different context that helps you feel less upset about it.
Though I totally sympathize with too-cold workplaces. Not a lot that can be done about that, and in a library, it’s better for the books so I really can’t do anything about it.
I think I’ve been trying to do that, or at least that sort of thing, with the bigger issues. Kind of hard to do it for every moment of annoyance that happens during the day (mentally exhausting!), but it’s a good strategy.
Yeah, just time to throw on another sweater. At least you’ll hopefully have the option of going to shelve something and getting to move around.
Reading your comments is really enlightening to me. I’m there! I get frustrated like that every day. I thought I was the only miserable bastard in the world. I am so thankful I found your commentary on your experiences during your TT. This is such a great idea.
I’m so glad you’re liking my blog! It’s been really helpful for me to have a place to reflect on everything I’m learning in training, and I’m happy it’s been helpful to other people too.