On my days off work last week, I had an issue that required help from customer service. I hardly have words for the experience because it was so awful. It didn’t end in one or two or three days. In fact, it still is unresolved. I found myself so angry. I also had no control of all the company’s decisions and how so many things went. I only had control of my own actions and responses.

In this situation, I had to look for ways I could be empowered. I could-and did- go on site in hopes they would help to solve the issue. Other times, I made the choice to call in for customer service and escalate the issue beyond what could be done on site. I continued to get the runaround. I prayed, I did some heart meditations, I rehearsed how I’d speak with the customer service representatives in a kind yet firm way. I took notes: dates, people I spoke to, what they said, how the issue was supposed to be resolved etc. Yet, the saga still continued.

As one day turned into several, I was really worn down. Regardless, I still had to take action, and speak to yet another customer service representative. I was angry (a natural emotion given what was happening) but I did mentally prepare myself to speak to the next customer service representative, so I thought it was going to go very smoothly. It didn’t. At one point in the conversation, I realized that I was not in alignment. I had done some preparing, but I prepared more in my mind, and I pretty much left out my heart.

There’s enough junk in the world, and I had wanted to come from a place of love despite what was happening. What I didn’t become conscious of (until I was in the middle of it) was that my body was oozing the anger and the representative could feel it. At that moment, I realized I had failed.

Our choices and intentions are important, they help lead to our actions and responses. Regardless, we are human and fail. I had needed to spend more time processing my own anger instead of being so anxious about resolving the issue. And I needed to get more into my heart before I interacted with anyone else that day. But I only came to understand that after I failed. Hindsight is 20/20. What is being “human” teaching you lately?

Cheri Thomas

Cheri works as a Peer Support Specialist for RI in Arizona. She has experienced loss and grief which has led her to write for the masses to bring voice to those in similar situations. Cheri possesses a deep passion to share with, encourage, and inspire others on what she calls the Journey of the Heart.