Can You Repeat That?

I have always prided myself on being an active listener.  Perhaps pride is not a strong enough word. One might say I had a bit of hubris surrounding my perceived abilities. This leads me to have little to NO patience with others who do not listen at what I deem to be appropriate levels.

I had a massive, but not catastrophic, fail this past week. The only person inconvenienced by it was me and I must say that it allowed others to have enjoyment regarding my misunderstanding and I always enjoy providing laughter for others.

The most interesting part of it was my soaring self-esteem and back-patting as I journeyed toward my starting point with what I believed were the correct documents.  The adventure began with a 16-mile drive to a satellite office only to find out when I arrived that it was temporarily closed. This left only the downtown office which was 33 miles away. I cancelled the other appointment that I had near the first location and hurtled down the freeway. Only once around the block, navigating one-way streets and construction, to find parking. A quick two block hike and a security check. In I bound and was out in 10 minutes. A record. Briskly walked (with a bit of spring in my step) back to the car and began the 12-mile return trip to drop off the documents. 

I had wonderful visions of the surprised looks I would get and the outpouring of gratitude. What a clever girl was I?!!

Instead, I had confused glances, a couple of sighs and a flurry of activity to reprint the documents for me to go back to the first location and find the correct office which was NOT temporarily closed.  I must admit even I found it amusing. Perhaps because my puffed-up self had been forced to deflate so rapidly.

One more 30-mile round trip and it was done.  I was symbolically patted upon the head, thanked and then I slunk out to return home. So much for making this easier, but at least it was done. With all that drive time I had plenty of room to contemplate my own judgements.

For the next little while, I will have to cut the world a bit more slack than I usually do. Oh, how the mighty (in my opinion) have fallen, but it is always good to get a taste of your own medicine.  It may be bitter, but I am better for it.