Dealing with unpleasant people

Today I had the most unpleasant exchange with a condescending worker insurance representative on the phone. He stated "everybody" including specialists and general practitioners accept a fixed $85 for answering treating doctor's questionnaire and why should I be different. When I told him I would rather not send in my answers because I think my time was worth more than $85, I was told I " would rather put my patient through the stress of seeing an independent doctor ", and I had "disregard for my patient". I said to him he should not lay the guilt trip on me because I am trying to do my job. I told him he gave me an opinion which was uncalled for and I hung up on him. He was one of those who talked non-stop without taking a breath to let you say anything. 
From past experience complaining to the superior does not get very far. The person whom you complained about tells a different story to the superior and my complaint gets watered down and fall on deaf ears.

Pain

The past few days have been .....painful. My low back pain has played up.Despite painkillers and anti-inflammatory  round the clock there were times when the pain was intolerable, when I cold not move the lower half of the body with ease. Getting in and out of the car was painfully slow, I have come to appreciate how the daily functions are affected by low back pain. What next? Roll amongst my cacti?

The best cure

Inner peace

One needs to stop the chatter of the mind to get on with life. Some people have better control of the inner chatter, some have less control.We can easily let the inner chatter cause doubts which lowers our confidence or our trust in other people.
Some days I find it a struggle. I need to quieten the chatter or even argue with my thoughts so that I can have more inner peace.

Appreciate the little things

Here in Melbourne we always talk about four sesons in a day. However, there are so many moments that one can appreciate and stop to enjoy the journey. I did that recently, in a long line of traffic, while stationery, I did a quick snap of the Art Centre by night.

Melbourne Art Centre by night

Be free to live

The unusual

I like unusual plants. Some cacti and succulent give very bright colorful flowers. Yet many are put off by the spine and miss the delightful flowers. People are the same. Some very "thorny" people are very beautiful inside once we can break through their exterior to know them better. However you need to be persistent to get their trust. It won't be easy but it is worth it.