You walk to your car. You’re minding your own business. Not hurting a soul. And then you see it.
A paper on your windshield. It's a parking ticket.
Shock
You can’t believe it. Is this some kind of bad dream? Suddenly this piece of paper holds the power to transform your mood. You've heard of this happening. You never thought it would happen to you. Pure disbelief.
Anger
Next, reality sets in and you are angry. How dare they give you a ticket? You weren’t trying to hurt anyone. All you wanted was a nice parking spot. And then this happened. You are just outraged. Why do bad things happen to good people? You are ready to become a fugitive from justice and turn to a life of crime.
Grief
Then comes grief. You mourn the poor parking decision you made. You grieve all the things that you could’ve bought with the money for the ticket. Clothes. Food. Movie tickets. They all flash before your eyes.
Resignation
Then you are resigned. There’s nothing you can do but pay the fine. It’s merely a sad fact of life. Your spirit has been broken by public safety. A demoralized shell, you admit defeat and pay up.