…with Gary Moss

I remember the last time I made an ass of myself in public. I was just sitting there enjoying a game of scrabble at Club #350, having a good time. And then. . . out of the blue, my opponent did something (announced an incorrect score). I corrected my opponent. Then it happened a second time; then a third time. I was losing the game, sitting with a rack full of unplayable vowels. It seemed to me that my opponent was being far too lax and inconsiderate. And then, like a jack-in-the-box, being unleashed, I sprang four inches above my chair, slammed my hand on the clock, putting it back on my opponent’s time, and announced in a loud and angry voice, “That’s not the correct score.”

That is very un-Gary-like. I am normally sponge-like and able to take all kinds of guff. I try so hard to achieve the impossible: to be liked by everybody. I immediately felt embarrassed by my little scene. It became very quiet in the room. I then lost every bit of concentration that I may have had up to that point and went on to lose the game miserably.

We are all most vulnerable to having our buttons pushed when we are tired, when we are stressed, when things aren’t going our way. When we are happy and in love thoughtless behaviors and words can simply slide off our backs.

10 Deflectors That Help Prevent Pushed Buttons
10. A good night’s sleep the previous night
9. Good health
8. Being current on all your bills
7. A reliable car
6. Love in your life
5. A good computer
4. Hot water and good plumbing
3. A full pantry and refrigerator
2. An exit strategy
1. The Blanks and Esses

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