I cracked up laughing today as I played over in my mind a class I took earlier this year. I was laughing so hard – it’s a good thing I was in the privacy of my apartment, in public I may have been considered ‘crazy’ or something.
I am all about personal development and spend a great deal of time in this area, especially after quitting smoking four plus years ago. This past spring I learned of an anger resolution class starting in my community, so I jumped on board. I was getting excited to think about the new things I was going to learn. I didn’t necessarily think I had a problem with anger but always interested in what drives human emotion.
Day one of class was enlightening. I was going to like this class. Well maybe. Mandatory hugs were announced at the end of the class, “don’t leave until you give someone a hug!” I am a hugger from way back, ask anyone who knows me. Now I think twice before hugging. We do not want to hug the wrong person or be inappropriate with too much hugging for pete sake. My hugging radar was ignited and I instantly became uncomfortable. What the heck is this feeling all about? I couldn’t help wonder why I was suddenly uneasy in a situation that only a year ago I would have initiated hugging each and every person in the room and probably asked for phone numbers while I was at it.
Then it hit me, I had also taken a personal boundary class. Talk about ah ha moments. Then I really laughed. I didn’t want to hug one single person in that room, and felt bullied into it. I was getting ticked off. I mean who has a right to tell me who to hug and when? Seriously. I snuck out as my classmates were embracing each other and I simmered in my juices all the way home.
Within a short period of time I put logic to my thoughts and decided to just get over it. Put on my big girl panties and get my rear end back in that class next week. So I did. Not a good week. I must have been on edge because something was said that got my blood boiling. Now mind you, nothing said was directed at me, I just speculated. I am very good at speculating. I had the speaker hog tied and crucified before hugs were ordered and I stomped off. That was that with the anger resolution class. By golly.
As I sat at my sewing machine this afternoon going 100 mph, thinking back on this class, it hit me right in the gut. I bet I have an anger problem. Nah, I am just yelling it like it is – that’s what Maxine does. I better give this some thought.
Don’t have time to think about it now, I’ll put it on the list of things to do and head out the door for my controlling emotions class.
Way too funny. But, yes I can relate. I don't want to be told to hug or even shake hands if I don't want too. I don't like it in church when they say to shake hands and give the kiss of peace. Or to hold hands durning the Our Father.
ReplyDeletefor me it's more the germ thing on both of those matters but still. I would not like the idea of hugging for the first class. Maybe after you'd seen them more than once. Good luck with that. But here's a BIG HUG from me to you! and it looks like I am not signed up for this with 3 accounts now..... Good story Coreena