Jen Chan
Unknowingly, I’ve entered my fifth year of learning to live mindfully. Over these years, I’ve tried to put my teacher’s teachings into practice in my daily life—being aware of and caring for my emotions, practicing mindful communication, and giving compassion. Each time I successfully apply mindfulness to my life, an indescribable joy wells up within me, and I deeply feel that I’m getting closer and closer to happiness and joy.
A while ago, I took my grandson to a well-known accessories store to choose a phone case for an iPhone 17. As a member of this store, I know I always enjoy good discounts. After entering the store, I asked the clerk about the details of the member discounts, but he always evaded the question, only emphasizing how cost-effective the store’s current promotions were.
When I asked for the third time and saw that he still didn’t give a direct answer, a surge of emotion welled up inside me. At that moment, I clearly realized: my mind was being violently disturbed by an energy of anxiety.
Fortunately, my mindfulness practice worked. Instead of immediately losing my temper, I took two deep breaths and gently said to the clerk, “Please wait a moment.”
I turned and walked around the store twice, letting my breath carry away my uneasiness. I knew I could have simply walked away, but that would have disappointed my expectant grandson. I could have complained about the clerk’s service, but an inner voice reminded me: this wasn’t mindful communication, nor did it demonstrate compassion. Moreover, I remembered the curiosity inherent in mindful communication—why was he insisting on pushing that promotion?
When I returned to the counter, I was calm. I asked about the membership benefits again in a gentle yet firm tone. This time, the clerk sincerely apologized and patiently explained the difference between the membership discount and the in-store promotion. It turned out that using the current promotion was indeed more cost-effective than the membership discount.
Hearing this, I couldn’t help but smile. I secretly rejoiced that I had chosen mindfulness at that moment. Otherwise, if I had impulsively complained about the clerk, only to realize later that the clerk was actually acting in the best interest for the customer, it would have truly been the opposite of mindfulness.
That night, I praised myself in my diary. I acknowledged and thanked myself for being able to recognize the emotions that arose immediately and for applying flexibly what I had learned in the “Self-Care Course”—”stop and observe,” “mindful communication,” and “compassion”—to gently face that agitation.
There was no argument, no harm, only understanding and acceptance. That entire day, my mood was exceptionally light and joyful.