The Last Nerve - defined

I don't have opportunities to laugh uncontrollably very often; but when I do it is a welcome relief.    I have noticed that when I do laugh wholeheartedly I forget whatever I was focusing on prior to...  After I stop laughing and the air is clear - I'm able to see things in a new perspective.  In this particular case, someone had gotten on  my last nerve.  The underlying situation was so ridiculous that I laughed for what seemed like days after-wards.

I'm sure most Americans have heard the expression "... has gotten on my last nerve" before; but for those who haven't:

• The last nerve is not an actual nerve that can be found within a person's body.  Rather it is a metaphor that describes a psychological state in which a person recognizes that they are on the verge of becoming enraged and or violent.

• The last nerve is a phenomenon that is normally a facet of people who are generally calm and easy going.  People who believe in thinking things through before they speak or act;  and then they proceed with decorum, dignity, and/or grace -normally.

• The last nerve is synonymous with terms like"  pushed my button, ...opened Pandora's box,  opened a can of whop a@# and the like.

• When spoken, "... my last nerve" is normally used as a direct warning to a person who is on the verge of being afflicted with bodily and or emotional trauma. 
• Further, if someone is telling you about a situation in which someone got on their last nerve... it is a warning/ or heads up to you regarding what NOT to do; and thus avoid experiencing that persons unmitigated wrath.

Before I share the details of the aforementioned event with you, I want you to know that in general I am a patient person.     On the absolute wrong day recently I met a very pushy sales person.  The person asked me a few leading questions and I flat out told them that I wasn't in listening mode that day.  This person attempted to prod me further for another minute or two.  They walked with me when I attempted to politely walk away.  They said -but wait- when I bluntly said "I'm leaving now don't follow me again".  When I told the person that they were starting to get on my last nerve, they took a step back and looked at me with all of the innocence of an eight year old and asked "why - what did I do".

Dear readers,  let us vow to ourselves to not get so caught up in what we want or need, in our attempts to persuade others to help or buy,  that miss out on what could have been a bigger blessing.  

Peace,

Andrea