The Power of the Pause

Last night I was inside cooking dinner and had music playing, Greg was outside. After a bit, he came inside and turned the tv on. I stopped what I was doing and looked at him wide-eyed for a few seconds, then said “I’m listening to music”. His response was that he was just putting an old football game on and the music wouldn’t bother him. My first thought was...”you fucking inconsiderate asshole!!” I glared at his back for a few minutes....contemplated hitting him with the frying pan. I was stewing for about 10 minutes and turned the music up. After 10 minutes I asked myself if this was worth “ruining” my Friday night. My son was off from work, my niece was here....and the four of us were going to have dinner together. I walked into my bathroom....paused, breathed....looked at myself in the mirror, and told myself that no...it wasn’t worth ruining the night over. I went back to the kitchen, turned the music down, and put my headphones on. Lo and behold the night was not ruined. In the past I totally would’ve picked a fight and then stewed about it all night...and definitely would’ve drank from that place. I’m still surprised sometimes when I realize the power is within me...the power of control, the power of peace, the power of just letting shit go.