Reality Bites

My sister sent me this quote via Picture Message:

"I can handle reality in small doses, but as a lifestyle, it's much too confining"

She said she thought of me when she saw the picture with that quote, and I, who personally think my sister is one of the funniest people on the planet, chuckle lightly to myself at work as I read it. After thinking about this idea for the last day or so, it's occurred to me that I don't want to be one of those people who takes life too seriously.

Example: I went to the doctor this week, expecting to pay X amount for my copay. The doctor's office is the most luxurious doctor's office I've ever seen (I think everyone knew how fascinated I was with all the gizmos and gadgets). I get all done with my appointment and head to the check-out desk to pay my copay, all by myself, like an adult. I get the news that my copay is DOUBLE what I thought it was going to be. Sigh. I pay it then immediately call my insurance company for an explanation, which they cannot give me because the claim won't show up for another MONTH. I think to myself, great, I'm screwed. Insurance sucks. Doctors suck. I'm never going to the doctor again.

After breathing for a moment and a good Mom convo, I realize I need to cut my losses and move on. The reality is that it was still much cheaper considering what I'd be paying had I not had insurance at all, so really there's nothing to freak out about. And I found out later that my company's copays had indeed all increased as of Jan. 1st. Lesson learned: as a grown-up, read everything that comes in the mail.

My point of all this: I had the money to pay for my doc appt. So what's the big deal? By making it a big deal, I was stressed out and whiny for a day. Yes, it's only a day, but by wallowing in the reality of having to PAY for doctor services, I wasted energy and time when I really should have just let it go to begin with. I'm healthy and everything costs something. I think it's one thing to be aware of the reality that nothing in life is free, but it's quite another to let it rule emotions and moods. I choose to accept reality, but I will not allow it to get the best of me.

{M}