Blessings
I understand that this is Blue Monday, Dr Cliff Arnall, psychologist and former tutor at Cardiff University, who has used mathematical equations to reach his verdict, that this is the most depressing day of the year. He based this on the fact that Christmas is over, but often the debt remains, the weather, New Year's resolutions are often set aside, etc.
So was this Blue Monday for me? I didn't have a great day at the Ramp, pretty awful really, but I am not going to let it depress me. Actually now out of my booth some of the bad moments are funny. The psychological evaluation test that was mandated to retain my job - collecting parking fees. The questions on it were kinda bizarre, obviously meant to weed out chemical usage, severe violence issues and sticky fingers. I don't generally have these issues, hehehe
The ramp raised its fees last week to a whopping dollar for two hours and after that three for the entire day. CHEAP!!! However, we have "regulars" that patronize a nearby motel restaurant. They were only validating for 50 cents, so I had a lot of cars owing 50 cents. I was the one to get the abuse. Oh Joy!!!
My favorite was the older gentleman in his luxury vehicle. He squawked, ranted and threatened. I politely and firmly said my hands were tied. So, he "showed" me, he whipped out his wallet and while I saw 5's and 20's for sure, he very purposefully peeled off one of t the two hundred dollar bills to pay for his fifty cent charge.
I very politely made $99.50 in change, using as many ones as I could get away with, because hey, that is the majority of my till. I think he felt a bit idiotic as I handed him the packet of 25 ones wrapped from the bank. I saw him look at that wad of ones and his wallet and the fives, then he sheepishly thanked me and almost apologized.
I imagine the motel got a nasty phone call, later and threats of loss of business. Me, I smiled and chuckled.
1) I don't work for them, not my issue.
2) My daughter works for their chief competitor.
3) Anyone dumb enough to eat their overpriced, bad food should pay for parking.
So what does this all hafta do with blessings? I guess to me, it means most things are funny given a bit of time. That there are so many good things and people that the ick ones have their 15 minutes, but then are done.
I have some of the loveliest customers who I enjoy talking to on a regular basis. I get paid to sit in a booth to read and study. Paid quite handsomely for the energy expended, really! I know that there are those that wonder how I went from teaching to a parking ramp booth. I, sometimes wonder too, but life is full of twists, turns and adventures. It is full of blessings, you just need to look! Embrace life! :)