Priorities 3.

Imagine there’s a major forest fire that’s threatening to destroy homes, lives and the local environment, and it’s your job to bring it under control. As you’re in the middle of this life-or-death situation, your phone rings and it’s your spouse calling to get your opinion on a proposed new hairstyle.

There is one big issue that is dominating my life at the moment, causing me grinding frustration, frequent disquiet and a growing sense of impatience. When I get fixated on something like that, the business of dealing with life’s practical concerns becomes an irritant.

So, I went for a walk today, and who should be coming in the opposite direction in two vehicles but the builder and his joiner from the company that is going to be painting the outside of my house soon. They stopped to tell me that they were on their way there to inspect the state of the woodwork. Oh, really? Could I care less? Later I had a phone call from said builder informing me that two of the window frames need replacing, and the joiner will be in touch over the next few days.

I really couldn’t give a toss about having my house painted or window frames renewed. It means nothing to me and I don’t want the disturbance. I just want the builder to shut up, go away and leave me to ponder the things that matter. He can’t, of course; these things are important to him. It’s his job.

Didn’t somebody say that we each create our own reality? Being forced to engage with somebody else’s when one’s own is in such a state of conflagration is a bit annoying.