On A Scale of 0 to 10

When you go to the emergency room or doctor’s office you’re asked to rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10 — zero being no pain and 10 being the most severe. My question to you today is not so much about physical pain, but what about your mental pain?

When you own or work for a 24/7 towing and recovery company you will most likely have some anxiety, but now add in all the other stressful concerns of the times we’re living in — which can lead to anger. While anger is a normal emotion that everyone experiences from time to time, being able to control it is important to help you avoid saying or doing something you may regret.

I have to confess, I lost it this week. It took me a while to calm down and then I felt foolish for reacting the way I did. I could’ve handled the situation so much better, and my own words that I told my children many times — be the better person — came flying back in my face. I know I’m better than the person who flew off the handle. My husband has been calling me grandma crab-pants, and while I try and laugh it off, that time I really was a crab-pants.

I know it doesn’t pay to worry, and worry escalates anxiety. We’re all facing uncertain times, and I’m only human. A tow lady friend advises to practice gratitude, and to write in a journal. Taking a moment to focus on what’s right when everything feels wrong helps you realize how many good things you have in your life.

Take it from grandma crab-pants, don’t escalate any pain to a 10.

Stay safe and thinking of you.