When negative themes repeat themselves it is like a challenge to our fortress walls. I suppose that we have to learn to deal with that, usually I find that distraction is a good method. The alternative is to move to Montana and live in a collective eating veggie burgers I guess. But distraction really is good. As long as you have good friends around to support and approve of you.
Distraction is a good way to keep from getting into a depression-funk as well.
Anyhow, I don't let the little things bother me. I realize that everyone is different and I like knowing that I don't try to get even with the dumb people who act petty. An example is people who work down at NIS-6 where I used to be a postdoc. So in those days I was a bit more insecure and needed validation from my co-workers. I got a message to go see the Division Director here on Friday.