June 5, 2014
Now and again I leave a social event because of what I call a “trigger.” This is memory being awakened to a past way of action that I wish not to repeat. It has nothing to do with what is going on at the present event or people. A trigger reminds me of a past. A long time ago, Friday evening after work was time to begin the party with associates. For me, the party might not end until wee hours of the morning in some other place. I never run into these situations anymore, since I am not in corporate life. But recently, I was in a meeting late on a Friday afternoon. I saw some food and a bunch of alcohol on ice. Innocent enough for everyone else. Not so for me. I felt a dis-ease, a desire to get away. Why this feeling? It took a while for me to recognize the trigger. As we began to socialize after the meeting, I found myself talking to someone about how drinking has changed in society over the years from more to less. Why was I talking about drinking? The light came on for me. I left the party. I went out with a friend for a nice supper and felt very good. I have found over time that virtue is the absence of vice. We ignore our triggers to our peril.