Center Of The Universe Found (While Getting An Oil Change)

I needed to get my oil changed last weekend. Actually my wife needed to get the oil changed in her car, but I owed her 40-bucks, so I took her car in and paid to get the oil changed. Now we’re even right? (Actually, we’re even financially, but she owes me an hour and a half of my life back.)

Anyway, I walked in to Lube-o-rama and took my seat in the waiting area with three other men. There was the customary pot of coffee brewed six hours ago, a stack of styrofoam cups, and gumball machine filled with pistachios. How could I resist? I grabbed a cup (didn’t have a quarter for the pistachios). There was a 1984 model TV mounted high in the corner of the room. Ohio and Ball State were playing basketball on ESPN. All four of us were watching.

One of the ‘gentlemen’ was working on his laptop and talking on a cell phone (too loudly which I love) while keeping an eye on the game. He was visiting with his wife Sandy at Steamboat where he was headed next. It was snowing up there, a little more than it had been here in town. She picked up the groceries, but bought the wrong kind of wine. He was stopping at REI before leaving Fort Collins. And no, she hadn’t heard from Mike & Carol yet. You get the picture.

In the middle of his call, laptop on his lap (that’s where it got it’s name), Mr. Center of the Universe grabs the remote and starts channel surfing on the circa 1984 TV at Lube-o-rama. Never mind the fact that there were three others watching the basketball game. Seriously? Who does that? Mr. Center of the Universe and his legion of followers, that’s who.

Too often we come across people that plow through the day like they’re the only person on earth. No regard for anyone else around them. Me, me, me. Me, me. (Me, me, me, me me.) Me. Oh, and mine, mine, mine.

I see that behavior and point of view in my five-year old grandson from time to time. I get it. He’s five. Mr. Center of the Universe should be ashamed at 46-years old. He needs a “time-out.” I can imagine how much Sandy is looking forward to Mr. Center of the Universe’s Steamboat arrival.

Don’t be that guy. I repeat, do not be that guy! (Seriously, please.) We should all take a look around today, and see how our actions are affecting others. What can we be doing to make their experience with us better? That’s a powerful way of thinking.