Musings of a Confused Soul

Parking Space Saga

Having a one-track mind or being habitual may be a good thing when you are focusing on something that you already have the answer to and when you need to implement a related task. But in general, being habitual can be a deterrent in progressing as a human being. I have a funny story on this one.

At my current company, I have been working for 7 years. Ever since I started my job here, I have been parking my car in the same space for the past 7 years as a habit. Because of it, I got so used to it and I became territorial when it came to my parking space at work. The funny thing was almost everyone who knows me, knows that I park my car always in the same place so they cannot even think about parking it there. Even if I am late in arriving, my space was still there.

However, about 3 months back some other employee who happened to be new has invaded my parking space. The very first day, I saw a car in my space from far, I got so mad. My blood pressure increased, my muscles became tight on my fists. I said this out loud in my car ‘What the heck? Who parked in my space? Don’t they know that is my space?” I was crazy mad.

I parked in another space while jerking my car! Got down and went to that car and looked with an angry face as if I was looking at a person. Boy, can you imagine…if that person were in that car at that moment…he would have been gone ‘poof’ with just my extremely angry look.

From there I walked so fast as if I was going to hit someone and went to the security guard and said, “Did you see someone parked in my space?” She said “Yeah I saw that I think he is new to this office he was working at van Nuys and now started here. He works in claims”…blah blah blah…”. I was thinking ‘who the hell cares where he is working before and where he works now? He had no right to park in my space.’ But then she said, “ I will let him know that it was your space”.

Then it hit me! Wait a minute…She can’t do that. It was not a reserved space, to begin with. I just happened to park it there for the past 7 years which, does not mean others cannot park. So immediately I woke up from my convoluted thinking. I said to her “oh no. Don’t do that. It is not like that was reserved for me”. Of course…inside my brain I was so happy she said that, but couldn’t let her do it though! So after that, I went inside and forgot about it.

And the next day came. I was on time and did not even think about it until I was reaching close to the office, suddenly my heart rate went up with the thought ‘ I really hope that guy did not park in my space….” I was speeding while I was closing in. then I saw the car again…Once again I was so mad!!

I said to the security guard…I can’t believe he parked it there again. I am actually a few minutes early…” She said with a joking tone “Just hit him on his head and tell him not to park there”. I laughed and she laughed. I forgot about it again.

The third day, I was driving and suddenly while still halfway through, I remembered about my parking space. I started to speed up and want to be there before that guy parked. I reached before him. Yay!!! While gritting my teeth, I said: “ Don’t you ever think about parking in my space, ever”. As if he can hear me. LOL!

Bottom line this parking space saga went on for 2 and ahalf months. I was getting stressed out and it was showing on my face. Just kidding! My face is like that anyway.

During this time what I have learned was worth it.

All the times I had to park in a different space, I was able to go for shopping or eat somewhere by driving my car during lunch time, etc.. and I actually enjoyed it instead of sitting in my car and look at my cell phone or stare at a tree or a garbage section in front of the space while I munch on junk food.

I felt, I was free to do what I want to do. Before, I did not want to take my car out because I did not want to lose my space. Now I know, no matter what I still have a space to park and I can also enjoy my life for that day without feeling as if my hands are tied. I started to look at life with a different perspective.

No more like a horse with the blinders on. No more bickering about insignificant things in life. Life is too short not to have fun while you can. Enjoy it. I am.