Go to any boarding queue at the airport and you’re likely to find someone in angst.
“This boarding line seems to be too long.”
“Why are they taking forever?”
“This airline is so incompetent.”
The angst is useless, of course. Everybody in that area is going to the same place and will get there at the same time. If a delay is meant to happen, it’ll happen anyway. Complaining about it isn’t going to do anyone any favors.
But, this post could just as easily been about angst at the DMV or angst at the office.
Angst is hardly ever useful and nearly always unhelpful. If you are that unusual person for whom angst spurs constructive action, please ignore this post.
But, for the rest of us, any time we find ourselves feeling angst, let’s ask ourselves – “Is this moment going to matter in 5 years?” Assuming it isn’t (and it generally isn’t), let’s just put some music on our headphones or open up a book and let it pass. If it is going to matter, let’s just put some music on or open up a book anyway. Angst isn’t going to help with constructive action. Some calm is.
The world will be better for it. And, we will be happier too.
A Learning a Day 