So began a saga that lasted for four weeks. At first all
seemed fine. They replaced the condenser for $1200, which was more than we
expected, but at least it was done (so we thought). Two and a half weeks later the
AC failed again. This time they told us it was the rear condenser and line. The
dealer did not have a necessary part so they were going to get one custom made.
Another $800 in all. That was $2000 we were not expecting to put on our credit
card this trip. We foolishly thought we were saving money by driving instead of
flying this year!
The cost was not the worst part. We brought the repaired vehicle
back to our rented condo, and the next morning it was blowing warm air again.
Long story short, for eight more days I went to the shop daily. Bringing in the
vehicle, getting it checked, getting a ride back to the condo, getting a ride
back to the shop again and again. Day after day, something went wrong.
They said the newly installed rear condenser was defective,
but not to worry; it was under warranty. It would not cost us anything. More
delays. Then the custom-made part was not working. More delays. Four weeks
after we had originally brought the vehicle to get fixed, we finally have our
car back. The air conditioning is working for the moment, but I would not place
any bets on its longevity.
I tell this story because of the emotional rollercoaster it
caused within me and how I handled it. On the outside I was polite – assertive,
but not aggressive. Honest with the repair shop about my frustration, but not
accusatory. On the inside I went through a full range of emotions, from initial
satisfaction to anger to disgust. I imagined heated arguments with the manager
which never materialized. I thought about getting the credit card company
involved or calling an attorney. In my mind I planned a scathingly accurate review
that I would post on Yelp.
Then during prayer I saw what I was doing and cooled down. I
began to think of this situation as a spiritual exercise – a gift from God. The
whole process was a wonderful opportunity to exercise mindfulness and practice
patience. I watched my emotions as they did somersaults. I observed my ego
defend itself and justify itself. I watched my self play both the victim and
the avenger. What a masterful performance!
All this time I also saw that this was just a show in my
mind, like a drama I would watch on television. I was creating roles, playing
roles, and casting others in roles. I was the producer, director, and
playwright of my own story. I was writing the roles of villains, hucksters, incompetent
mechanics, and wronged customer who is victorious in the end.
Shakespeare famously said that all the world’s a stage and we are players. But we are more than that. We are the whole process. We are also the audience, the theater, all the actors and stage hands, the stage, and the theater. We are the play.
These things are happening within us. We invent them.
We include and transcend them all. It is okay to play our part in this human
drama wholeheartedly. It is fine to exercise emotions. We could not stop them
if we tried! But we need to remember that this is only a role we play and not
our identity.
We are the One behind the process. We are the One who is seeing
the whole process unfold. This seeing fills me with joy in the midst of the
frustration. It cools me off like AC never could. I can enjoy the divine drama
without getting attached to it! I see again – as I have seen countless times
before – that divine joy and love and peace trump all the emotions displayed
within the play.
Furthermore it all works together for Good, as the apostle Paul
observed. This divine “Good” has nothing to do with the relative “good” and
“bad” aspects of life. Those sparring roles are just part of the script. The greater
Good includes all good and bad. This Good Life is God’s drama. Sit back, keep
cool, and enjoy the show!
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