Ever asked someone, “How’s it going?” and instantly regretted it? I did. What I thought would be a quick gym chat turned into an unsolicited deep dive into marital discord and overdue taxes.
What irritated you today? If something did, how long did you carry it around with you? There are times when we get irritated and our brain freezes and it refuses to move on. It’s like listening to a song on our favorite streaming service and it keeps repeating. No matter how many times we try to turn off the repeat icon on our phones or iPads, the song repeats.
This is how a conversation went down today between me and a gym buddy. My gym buddy was having one of those brain freeze moments.
Ray: “Hi, Tom. How’s it going?” (I should have thought twice before asking “how’s it going?”).
Tom: “I’m working on my taxes. I’m already six weeks late.”
Ray: “Ouch.”
Tom:: “It’s my wife’s fault. Getting her stuff is like pulling teeth.”
Ray: (I really need to change the subject). You see the ball game last night.”
Tom: “No. I had an argument with my wife over why she is so slow in getting the stuff I need.”
Ray: (Still trying to change the subject). “You have plans for the weekend?”
Tom: “Not if it involves her. I told her to go out with girlfriends Saturday night while I work on the taxes”
Ray: (Tom needs a marriage counselor and I don’t want to get caught in the middle). “I’m sure everything will work out. I see my machine is open, Have a great rest of your day.”
Tom: “You know I married her on the rebound.”
Ray: (Fist bumps Tom). “Gotta go, Tom. Hang in there.”
Tom: “There’s someone I’d like to hang.”
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