Samyama and Traffic

When I lived in Maryland, and the proximity to DC and Baltimore traffic, I would often use traffic as a daily and mundane application for Samyama, first for myself and then my early clients. Being in the moment in traffic was not easy for me at first. I was impatient, and wanted it to move, NOW. This was sometimes tied to being late, but not always. I always allowed enough time, even for 'normal rush hour traffic' and for the most part was never late. Being late was definitely one of my triggers, it still is. I had an experience this last week with traffic and being late. As a child and growing up, being on time for me was a way I (thought) I could control things. This past week I had a hair appointment in a new location in Wilmington, NC. I have been to Wilmington, however I knew one way to get around. I gave myself an extra 35 minutes to get there. As it turns out, the road I knew was closed in both directions due to a gas main leak. I sat there, literally, the traffic was not moving, and began to panic, then I remembered to breathe, and I called someone for help. I got what seemed like good directions, so I turned around and set out the other way. I ended up on the right street, just going the wrong way. I still had 20 minutes, so I called the salon, and told them I was on my way, but lost. They were very helpful and got me turned around, and I realized now that I would be late, and told them so. They said not to worry, the appointment after mine had canceled, and they were happy they could help me. OK, now my decision was to continue breathing, staying in my heart and taking to heart what they told me, OR, tell myself a story about how I was late and blah, blah blah.....I chose to stay in my heart, and I was 20 minutes late, and then I asked myself, 'what is being late anyway?' Even though it seemed a struggle at the time, I did stay present, I was late, and I made it though and had a pleasant experience, and I learned another way around Wilmington. Again, another example of how every day life holds a lesson as long as we are present to receive it. For example, if I had not been present enough to receive guidance to call someone, I may have relied on a past memory of a similar experience and sat there hoping the road was not closed, (I didn't know it was closed at the time) and been even later, and maybe been too full of shame to show up at all) None of this made me feel very good, and that was OK. I was with the feeling as it was, and knew that the lesson there that day was necessary. Oh, and I got the best haircut I have had in almost a year.