05/12/2025
“The Coffee Cup Catastrophe That Never Happened”
Marco was known in the office for two things: His fast, top-tier problem-solving skills; and his even faster mouth—which sometimes solved nothing.
On Monday morning, he walked into the office ready to conquer the week… until he saw it:
His favorite mug—his prized “World’s Okayest Employee” mug—was missing.
“WHO took my mug?” he whispered dramatically, as if narrating a true-crime documentary.
His officemate Trixie sipped her latte. “Relax, Marco. Maybe it’s in the pantry.”
Marco marched to the pantry—and there it was. Warm. Full. Being used by Sir Arnold, the senior manager whose face resembled a permanent system error.
Marco felt the impulse rising—like a volcano. He imagined snatching the mug back, giving a TED Talk on property rights, or delivering a dramatic monologue about betrayal.
But then he remembered what his therapist told him during last month’s stress-management seminar: “WHEN EMOTIONS GOES UP, WISDOM GOES DOWN. DO THE POWER PAUSE - 30 SECONDS TO BREATHE, NOT REACT.”
“Okay,” Marco whispered. “Power Pause. Power Pause!”
He turned away, clenched his fists, and did his 30-second breathing exercise… right there … unlnowingly in front of a coworker … seeing him inhaling like a dragon preparing for battle. The coworker asked “You okay, bro?” He quipped, “Just… upgrading my emotional firmware.”
When Marco finally looked back, he saw something unexpectedly: Sir Arnold wasn’t enjoying the mug—he was panicking.
“Whose mug is this?!” Arnold asked the pantry staff. “Someone swapped mine! Mine had my medicine inside!”
Marco blinked.
Wait. He wasn’t a mug thief—he was a confused senior trying to take his meds.
Marco quietly approached. “Sir, I think that’s mine.” Arnold handed it back, relieved. “Ah, thank you. I thought I lost my pills! Sorry for the mix-up.”
Marco smiled, calmer than he expected.
“No problem, sir. Happens to all of us.”
The thirty-second Power Pause had saved him from: a confrontation; an HR incident; and possibly unemployment.
Later that day, he told the story to his girlfriend, Mia.
She laughed so hard she nearly dropped her phone.
“Love, imagine if you actually grabbed the mug! You’d look like a toddler protecting his toy.”
Marco defended himself. “That mug has sentimental value!”
“Uh-huh,” she teased. “Or maybe you just needed your Power Pause.”
He grinned. “It works. You should try it next time you want to comment on my driving.”
“Oh, I already do,” she said. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t be together.”
They both laughed.
And from that day on, Marco discovered something magical:
Impulse control isn’t about being less passionate— it’s about being powerful enough to choose the wiser moment.
The mug incident became famous in the office, and Marco earned a new nickname:
“MR. POWER PAUSE”
And honestly?
He wore that title—
just like he held his mug—
with pride… and a little more patience.
