When the Universe teaches you patience (and God sends a reminder)

If you ever feel like the Universe sends you little challenges just to see how you handle them—welcome to the club! Yesterday, for example, I had the wonderful opportunity to give a masterclass on emotional management right on the Pipera bridge.

Everything started completely normal: I was driving Oliver to the subway, thinking about all the things I had to do that day when, suddenly, my car decided it wanted to be the center of attention. So, it lit up the check engine light, made some suspicious noises, and gave me a mini panic attack on the side of the bridge. Just what I needed!

Now, let’s analyze the situation from a psychological perspective. The first natural reaction? Anger! "Right now? Why? Couldn’t this wait until after I finished my super important tasks?" When we get angry, our brain enters a state of intense activation. The limbic system—the part responsible for emotions, especially the amygdala, which processes fear and anger—sends an alarm signal to our body. This triggers the fight-or-flight response, where adrenaline and cortisol flood the bloodstream, increasing blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension. If we don’t manage this activation, anger can escalate, leading to impulsive reactions: yelling, slamming doors, sending aggressive messages, or making regrettable decisions.

Instead, I took a deep breath and did the most logical thing: I parked on a side street and called my trusted service shop in Grădiștea. Ciprian told me to let the car sit for a bit—maybe it would fix itself, who knows? So, I decided it was the perfect time to take my run in Herăstrău Park. If my day was already off track, I might as well make the most of it, right? And anyway, I had to let the car rest for a bit.

The amygdala is like the brain’s danger sensor—when it detects a threat (real or imagined), it sends signals to trigger stress and anger. However, neuroscience studies show that physical exercise, especially running, reduces amygdala hyperactivity and signals to the brain that the danger has passed. More specifically, during running, the brain receives signals that you are in motion and no longer need an aggressive response. Plus, the heart rate increases in a controlled way, helping the brain interpret the state as physical effort rather than emotional stress.

After getting my dose of fresh air and finishing my run, I returned to the car, optimistic, with pastries from Cofetăria Maria—because, obviously, if I’m having an existential crisis, I might as well pair it with something delicious. But the car was doing the exact same thing. No change.

The second emotional stage? Resignation. Okay, I get it. This isn’t something I can fix with a pastry and a quick prayer. Ciprian suggested I try to drive to the service shop. Worst case scenario, I’d break down on the way, and they’d send a tow truck for me. Solid plan. So, I drove at an impressive 40 km/h all the way to Grădiștea, feeling like a very determined snail.

Then comes the third stage: acceptance and humor. As much as I wanted to be angry that my day was ruined, that I wasn’t prepared for this, and that I had more important things to do, I realized it wasn’t the end of the world. Yes, it was inconvenient. Yes, I was stuck for a few hours. Yes, I really didn’t need these unexpected expenses right now. But I still managed to handle my tasks over the phone. And honestly, my car needed a check-up anyway—I had just been ignoring it.

Because no crisis is complete without a little support, before heading to Grădiștea, I called my friend Roz to vent a little. Because, really, what’s a crisis if it’s not shared with a good friend? After a quick "Oh my God, what a day" session and a few laughs, I felt much better. Sometimes, just having someone listen to you works wonders.

The Universe never gets tired of teaching me life lessons, this morning, at exactly 6:23 AM, as I was just waking up and thinking about how to organize my day, I received a WhatsApp message from the parish priest: "Good morning, have you sent it?"

It hit me like a lightning bolt: he had come by our house with holy water the other day (I still don’t know why), and since I didn’t have cash, I promised to send the money later. Of course, I forgot. So, at the crack of dawn, God sent His man to remind me of my debts. And what can you do in such a situation? Laugh and admit that no matter how much you try to control things, life will always give you a little nudge not to take yourself too seriously.

What can we learn from this experience full of technical and divine surprises?

• Anger is natural, but it doesn’t help. Breathe, get organized, and move forward.

• Sometimes, things happen unexpectedly, but if you have to deal with them, you might as well do it with humor.

• If you promise something to a priest, set a reminder. God has an excellent memory!

  
  

So, the next time a warning light comes on in your car, your life, or your conscience, take a deep breath, grab a pastry, and remember that everything can be solved. It’s just a matter of how you choose to handle it. 😄

If you want to learn together how to manage anger, frustration, or even despair… let’s talk! Let’s make our days easier, even when the Universe decides to give us some "lessons." 😉

And remember: Happiness starts with you!