How to deal with feeling of uncomfortable?

What makes human beings special is that we are the only living species that have the ability to be aware that we are aware. It's an endowed gift. Some call it self-awareness, others call it consciousness. There are moments that when we quiet our mind, stop our thinking, let go of our identities and judgment, we can get in touch with that awareness that we are aware.

Here is an example of my being aware that I am aware.

I was attending as a guest at a Rotary Club downtown . My host, my friend who had invited to visit the club, was quite a bit late. Now I could have waited for him at the hotel lobby so we could go into the conference room together. Doing that would be more comfortable because it would be conventional and I wouldn't feel as much like a stranger. As I became aware of my feelings, I was also aware that I had a choice. I accepted my feelings of being uncomfortable.

Yes, I felt uneasy to walk into a gathering with people whom I have never met before, yes, I had a little annoyance about where was Tim, why wasn't he here to greet me -- after all he was my host and it was him who invited me there.

Then I stilled my mind and I accepted my situation and my discomfort. I changed my perspective that this was a moment for me to be myself -- I am me. I always have a choice. I chose to accept my discomfort and in fact it made me feel alive.

Once I decided that Tim was really going to be late, and the meeting was about to start. there really was no reason to wait for him anymore. Uncomfortable or not, I simply walked into the room and introduce myself to the a nice woman who clearly looked like she had the role of a greeter. I told her no I was not from another Rotary Club, I was here as a guest but smiled to say that Tim looked like was awol. We both laughed. She gave me a visitor badge and I went up to front of the room and sat down at a table and introduced myself to other people.

The program started. The president of the club introduced me as a guest just when Tim walked in. Tim actually had good reasons to be late. He later told me what it was.

The point is that because I was aware that I had a choice and that I am not my feelings (my discomfort) I can choose to act according to my intuition. It's a tool that all of us have. We just need to use it more and practice using it more. Be comfortable with your feelings including being uncomfortable.

And I should also mention I was the only Asian in that room.