Karma & Slow Moving Lines

      

By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

Dr. Stewart Bitkoff   Today, I saw the Law of Karma operating right in front of me. Fortunately, I did not have to wait a lifetime to work out my issue with slow moving lines. While paying for medical prescriptions at the local pharmacy, I kept hitting incorrect display prompts on the credit card monitor.  This display monitor asks multiple questions and requires signatures at various points. My errors necessitated that I start over several times; rushing and fumbling about I could sense the growing line behind me.  Clearly I was slowing-up the works and customers had to wait longer than they expected. Suddenly, I had a flash back to when I stood in this same line, behind an elderly fellow who was having even more problems than I navigating the credit system. The pharmacy aid was trying to assist but because of poor eyesight progress was very, very slow. At the time, my nerves were shot and I mumbled to myself, ‘I wish he would just get on with it so we all could get our prescriptions and get out of here.’ So today, I was the person slowing-up the works and remembered ‘this old fellow’ was doing the best he could; in situations like this, we all must be a little kinder to each other.  Feelings of annoyance, resentment and impatience, while natural waiting in a slow moving line, often do not benefit the person experiencing these feelings and are better off diffused by a silent prayer, switching attention or a kind word inquiring if the person needs assistance. Grateful to the Universe for helping me again with slow moving lines; yet to be worked on in any substantial way is my clumsiness and fear of computers and electronics. Really, I don’t know how many lifetimes it will take for me to get this right? Check-out my two books: Sufism for Western Seekers: Path of the Spiritual Traveler in Everyday Life and The Ferryman’s Dream.  Both books are also in Kindle format and available on Amazon.com or local bookstore. -SB