The road to the funny farm is paved with rants

Is it ever okay to rant?

Perhaps recognizing that I want to rant is some kind of a signal, but what is it telling me?

That there are a lot of downright idiots in the world?

I'm pretty sure that is true, but it is probably also a signal to me that means I need to change something and since the only thing I can count on changing is me -- this is personal.

No matter what my interpretation of idiot is, I can also pretty much assume it means a lack of ability to learn or change. Which reinforces the idea that change is up to me.

One way I could change is to avoid these people even more than I already do, but I am fairly adept at that already.

Another might be to manage, or micromanage, how I respond to them when our paths cross. Perhaps I need a mantra, a funny mantra, to distract me from my feelings of frustration and anger and remind me that I don't need more negative energy in my life.

I like that idea, but it isn't something I can come up with in this moment.