[life] Don't crowd me

So I'm standing in line at Walmart at 6:30 today, a Saturday, and people are just packing in, jostling and talking loudly and the guy behind me bumps me with his basket full of stuff, and I start to get that pre-anxiety feeling...

And instead of dwelling, or fighting, or trying to do my breathing exercises or anything, I turn to the woman next to me, who's holding a little girl, and start talking to her. It was like magic. Goodbye shortness of breath, ringing in my ears, that feeling like someone is about to punch me between the shoulderblades. We talked until she got to the cashier, and I was fine.

I don't know whether this is a breakthrough or not. I mean, there isn't always going to be someone there willing to talk to me ... although I'm sure there are way more people willing to do so than I think. I feel really good though. I grinned all the way home.