Chapter 1: The Provocation

Hello everyone,

I want to take a moment to emphasize that reacting impulsively when angry is not the solution.

Just a short while ago, I ordered tea from a café at my university. The staff there are friendly, but they often comment on how I place my orders. Yes, I prefer my tea sweet and strong—what's the harm in that? They frequently advise me about the health implications of my sugar intake, implying that my preferences are a burden because my order requires more ingredients than those of other customers.

Today was no exception. As I waited, one of the workers remarked, "That much sugar is bad for you," followed by a teasing, "You know, if you want more sugar, that's fine." In a previous post, I mentioned the importance of controlling my reactions to such comments, as they can lead to regrettable consequences. People tend to focus on my reactions rather than the provocations that triggered them.

Initially, I decided to let their remarks slide. However, I overheard them discussing sugar and mint in relation to my order. They were conversing in another language, and my familiarity with certain words made me curious if they were indeed talking about me. When I turned my head towards them, their conversation abruptly ceased. At that moment, I thought, "It's not worth my energy," and I removed my headphones. Yet, they began talking again, perhaps louder this time, and I paused my video to give them the benefit of the doubt, hoping they were discussing something else. Unfortunately, they continued to reference my order.

You might wonder how I knew they were discussing me. It's a reasonable question. There were no other customers around, and very few people order tea. Additionally, they specifically mentioned the number of sugar spoons I requested, which I knew was not a common order.

When I glanced in their direction, they were indeed looking at me. I decided to confront them with a big smile and asked, "Why are you talking about me?" They seemed taken aback, and one of them quickly denied it. My question was enough to silence them completely.

Throughout the encounter, I felt a surge of anger. However, I recognized that acting on that anger would only complicate matters further. Instead, I chose to remain composed and measured. I gave myself a moment to consider that I might have misinterpreted the situation and that it could have been mere coincidence. It’s possible that my assumptions were unfounded, and my inquiry merely caused unnecessary alarm among the staff, but the signs were certainly hard to overlook.

Chapter 2: The Importance of Self-Control

In this video titled "I Quit Coffee for 100 Days and Almost Lost My Job," the speaker shares their journey of giving up coffee and the challenges they faced. Their experience serves as a reminder of the importance of managing habits and reactions in everyday life.

The next video, "Tom Pepe - Cup a Tea - My First Song (Keep Tryin)," showcases the artist's journey and the significance of perseverance in pursuing one's passions. It encourages viewers to keep striving despite obstacles.

Thank you for reading, and if you feel inclined to support my writing, I’ve included my PayPal link.