The Kindness of Allowing for Annoyance

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony."
―Thomas Merton

Sometimes, it seems indulgent to become upset over what folks are calling "first-world" problems ― a broken refrigerator, a minor fender bender, the drilling in your climate-controlled building ... that sort of thing. 

But recently, someone shared a perspective that I found interesting ― and kind.  While it is important to maintain perspective, we should not feel guilty about being annoyed (mildly, we hope) by problems that impact us and that interrupt our lives.  "There is great value in realizing that it's a first-world problem," she said, "But we don't need to feel guilty about it."

There is kindness in finding that balance between perspective and annoyance.