3 Trips to the DMV #kellyproblems
Live reenactment of me driving to the dmv 3 times in one day.
I've racked my brains, and I've never heard anyone say, "I'm going to the DMV" with an excited tone. When I realized that I had to renew my license finally, wanted to make it an enjoyable experience and prove to myself that it could be fun! I was going to break the curse of the DMV and make it a positive trip. I mean, I was FINALLY getting my horizontal i.d. & not going to get questioned if I had a fake. So off to the DMV to get my fancy, new real i.d.
As much as I want to tell you I did just that I made the most of it, it turned into one of the biggest #KellyProblems I've ever encountered. Over the course of that Friday, I ended at the DMV 3 times in one day. Let me tell you some things that I learned:
Pre-Coffee Kelly is not someone you want to be reading directions or headed to the DMV.
Make sure you bring your license, social security card, passport, AND a piece of mail (maybe you should plan ahead and have someone shoot you a letter in case you are like me & have to tear through your apartment to find an envelope sent through the post office.)
One person can change the whole dynamic of the room.
On my second trip to the DMV, I sat there waiting for my turn (without my proper documents) and people watched for about an hour until this wonderful, nice lady, Lisa, came out from behind her desk checking to make sure everyone was doing alright. She was the one who kindly informed me that I needed all the documents, not just the passport I brought along. I took a breath and clearly panic read on my face as I asked if she thought I could make it back in time before it closed. She told me that when she got back I could come straight to her desk. I let out a sigh of relief and dashed out of the DMV.
As I drove 40 minutes in the car to and from the DMV, I reflected on the power of people. Lisa turned my entire day around - she extended grace & patience in the midst of a busy day at her job. Also while I was there, there was a truck driver who came in, and instead of being grumpy, he made friends with strangers and cracked jokes which cut the tension. When I finally made it back to Lisa's desk, she reminded me that I'm human (and it was also a full moon and Friday the 13). Behind me, there were two people who had just met but were chatting away like they were the best of friends. They found common ground sitting across the table waiting for their turn.
It made me think about what kind of influences I have on spaces I'm just passing through in. Hopefully one day, I can be like Lisa and brighten someone else's day just by being a good human.