Easy, like Sunday morning

I turn the computer on.

 

Norton tells me I should update.

 

Google wants me to take a tour of the new features as it’s updated the browser and it all looks different.  I roll the mouse over a link and a pop up jumps out so I can’t see the text.  I disable it but it doesn’t go away.

 

Sunday morning and I’m shouting at an inanimate object.  And no, I don’t usually.

 

Decisions are being made for me and I feel powerless rather than empowered.  I want to feel in control, but I feel like I’m being controlled, told what to do.  Welcomed to the machine.

 

So what to do?  My usual reaction is “I‘m not going to be beaten by a machine,“ but I know it has more patience than I.

 

Answer, use ancient wisdom to fight the ‘new’ problem.  

 

The only thing I can do is to treat these annoying frustrations as opportunities for me to learn to become more patient.  Without them there is no opportunity to practise.

 

From now on, when all the trains in Waterloo are delayed, or I get the blue screen of death, or someone’s shouting intimate details down their mobile, I will be thankful for yet another opportunity. No more shouting or fist banging. Serene calmness will ensue.

 

So is it only me who has a lot of patience to learn? Is it (only) me?

 

And please don’t even get me started on Office 2007…

 

 

Andy