Cold calling

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JonW
Team Member
Posts: 2897
Practice Mindfulness Since: 08 Dec 2012
Location: In a field, somewhere

Thu Apr 25, 2013 11:53 am  

Ten minutes ago, I was lounging on my bed reading a book when the phone rang.
It was a cold caller.
"Hello, my name is Jason. I'd like to speak to you about double glazing..."
In the past I might have argued it out with Jason, got very irate with him, informed him in no uncertain terms that he'd disturbed my morning etc. etc.
Then I'd have slammed the phone down and felt a mix of emotions - guilt for getting angry at Jason, frustration about cold callers in general etc. etc.
This morning I calmly put the phone down without saying a word and felt very calm.
Thoughts can be like pesky cold callers. We engage with them at our peril. Gently notice them, move on with the day and a whole load of trouble is averted.
Most of our thoughts are just like a man called Jason, sitting in a call centre in Newport, Gwent, wearing a cheap brown suit, whose job involves pestering people who've got a million and one things they'd rather be doing than discussing double glazing.
Jon leads the Everyday Mindfulness group meditation on Zoom every Monday/Friday, 6pm London-time. FREE.
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larorra
Posts: 152

Thu Apr 25, 2013 1:23 pm  

Hi Jon,

Gl;ad to hear that you are dealing better with these type of calls! I am too :) I also have much better patience when standing in queues, waiting for appointments etc, used to get angry and frustrated but nowadays I use the time for mindfulness and life is soo much better because of it!
Jackie

You can find me on Twitter @larorra08

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BioSattva
Posts: 324
Location: Beijing, China

Fri Apr 26, 2013 2:56 pm  

JonW wrote:Most of our thoughts are just like a man called Jason, sitting in a call centre in Newport, Gwent, wearing a cheap brown suit, whose job involves pestering people who've got a million and one things they'd rather be doing than discussing double glazing.

I've done similar jobs before when temping - poor guy :(
"Compassion – particularly for yourself – is of overwhelming importance." - Mark Williams, Mindfulness (2011), p117.
"...allow yourself to smile inwardly." - Jon Kabat-Zinn, Full Catastrophe Living (2005), p436.
Weekly Blog: http://mindfuldiscipline.blogspot.co.uk

JonW
Team Member
Posts: 2897
Practice Mindfulness Since: 08 Dec 2012
Location: In a field, somewhere

Fri Apr 26, 2013 3:03 pm  

I'm not without sympathy, assuredly. I'm sure it's a thankless job.
Jon leads the Everyday Mindfulness group meditation on Zoom every Monday/Friday, 6pm London-time. FREE.
Follow this link to join the WhatsApp group and receive notifications: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K5j5deTvIHVD7z71H3RIIk

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