From Triggered to Heart Connection: Inner Healing on the Go at the Vet’s Office

The information contained in this article is educational in nature and is provided only as general information and is not medical or psychological advice. Please refer to the website Disclaimer before proceeding to read this article.

While waiting for my dog Anubis to finish his follow-up X-rays and bloodwork at the vet, I found myself suddenly triggered—and not just by the allergy symptoms flaring up from the cats in the waiting room. After politely excusing myself to wait in the parking lot, I held the door open for an elderly woman carrying her cat. As I did, I noticed another woman, mid-40s, walking quickly toward the door with her dachshund. Wanting to be courteous, I waited and held the door for her, too. But instead of acknowledging the gesture, she walked straight past me without even a glance or a “thank you.”

My first thought was, “What? Seriously?” I caught myself judging her immediately. As I wandered the parking lot, soaking up the warmth of the sun, I noticed my mind spinning out in judgment. One moment, I was blaming her: "How rude!" The next moment, the blame shifted inward: "Am I too nice? Is there something wrong with me?"

At first, I tried to brush it off, telling myself it wasn’t a big deal (classic denial and bypassing). But as I continued walking, I realized I was actually triggered. Anger had crept in, and I knew I needed to pause, acknowledge the feeling, and work on calming my nervous system before I could go deeper. I used the grounding techniques I shared in my blog, and one thing that really helped was intentionally connecting with the energy of a nearby tree. That grounding expanded my awareness, and soon, I felt a sense of openness, with energy flowing from the universe through me. My heart softened, and I asked the universe to help me open it even more.

Even as I felt this deep connection, I didn’t want to bypass the part of me that was angry. I recognized that this was a very young part of me—my inner child—triggered by the woman’s indifference. I took a moment to send love to that part of myself, holding him in an embrace from my heart and letting him know he is seen, loved, and accepted. This was exactly what that wounded inner child needed. Once that need was met, the anger began to dissolve. Little Karan was no longer upset.

With my heart now wide open, I tuned into my expanded consciousness. In that state, I received an insight: the woman with the dachshund wasn’t ignoring me out of rudeness; she was simply overwhelmed. Her dog’s health and a conflict at her workplace were weighing on her heavily, and in that stressed state, her vision and awareness had narrowed. She literally couldn’t see me holding the door open for her.

This realization hit home for me. How often, when I’m stressed or triggered, do I become blind to the good around me? How often do I miss moments of gratitude because my heart is closed? This experience reflected an aspect of my shadow self, reminding me of the times when I, too, am unaware and caught in my own stresses. Shadow work is funny like that—it shows up in the behaviors of others, and if we’re willing to reflect, we often find it mirrors something within ourselves.

Then, in a validating twist from the universe, the same woman stepped outside, this time on her phone, clearly discussing a work issue. Her tone was filled with stress and concern, confirming what I had sensed about her inner state. In that moment, I felt a wave of compassion for her. She wasn’t rude; she was struggling, just like we all do sometimes.

This whole situation also invited me to reflect on my own unspoken contracts around kindness. I realized I had an expectation: if I’m kind to someone, they should be kind in return, in a way that I deem acceptable. But this is a form of conditional kindness, with strings attached, and it doesn’t honor the other person’s freedom to respond from where they’re at in that moment. I was shown that true kindness is offering without expectation, allowing others to react however they need to. This was a deep lesson in letting go.

Standing in the parking lot, I felt deeply connected—to the sun, the trees, and even to the woman who had initially triggered me. My heart was full of love, gratitude, and compassion. I realized that the universe had orchestrated this moment. I was placed on her path to help her carry her burdens, even if it was something as simple as opening a door. And she was placed on mine to offer me an opportunity to practice unconditional kindness and deepen my connection with my own heart in the face of a trigger.

What a beautiful gift I received that day at the vet’s office—along with the wonderful news that Anubis’s lab results came back normal.

By blending reflection, shadow work, and heart connection, we’re given opportunities to grow, even in everyday moments like waiting at the vet’s office. When triggers arise, we can meet them with compassion and curiosity, uncovering deeper truths about ourselves along the way. Keep doing the work; the gifts are always waiting to be found.