Slight Discomfort?

My power is out again.
This is a frequent occurance at my home in India.
It's 83 degrees fahrenheit in my room...I can feel the beads of sweat dripping down my back and sweat is forming above my lip.
There are two ants playing footsy with me as I must be a road block in their travels to toss some crumbs up on their backs and scurry up the wire that leads outside.
There is constant noise banging outside: cars/rickshaws/bikes honking horns, pounding/banging/yelling as there is houses being built, crows cawking loudly, a dog barking consistently and oh so frequently...

Here, I have been forced to be in slight discomfort wherever I am...this is only if I allow these distractions to upset me, infect me...affect me and my world.
Did you read that clearly?
Only if I allow it to affect me.

I have walked to and from class multiple times a day for the two weeks I have been here and it's incredible the amount of activities/potential disruptions my eyes have witnessed. I will share a couple examples with you...
I walk across a certain bridge every single day and sometimes see multiple people lying on the sidewalk (hoping they're only sleeping) and then on the other side I will see a man urinating against the wall included with a potent stench and then I must dodge traffic coming my way then there is a cow ahead digging in the heating foul-smelling piles of garbage on the side of the road and every person I walk past is not speaking an ounce of english...but then this morning there was a sweet boy with the happiest smile with his little squirt gun trying to get me wet and I just laugh and pretend he's getting me all wet!

This all occurs within 10 feet of each other.

My message I would like to share with you is there are so many distractions we could be affected by in our every day lives...whether it is small miniture occurances with traffic on your way to work, with a colleague, friend, partner...whatever it may be you have the power to choose what comes in and what you keep out of your life. Yes, I'm telling you...this is your choice...you're the one who has to deal with it and move forward with your day...so do you want to let the person who cut you off in traffic, or the person who is taking too long in the drive-thru, or the weather, or somebody who interrupted you, etc...are you going to let any of these things affect your entire day?!

....Or will you just choose to breathe, be patient, compassionate and just let it go...and move on with your day and your life positively?

For me...I could let everything that's happening here disctract me, infect me, poison me, discourage me...but I don't and I won't because that's exhausting and I choose not to use my energy on those sort of things I prefer to live my life so joyfully, positively and not sweat the small stuff.
I promise you your life will be so much more fulfilling if you apply these small qualities to everyday happenings. I wish you all my best and keep shining on.

By the way....my power is still off and I'm still sweating as well as still smiling...It ain't no thang! ;)

Jenna Margaret