The Power of Words
Starting Each Day With A Little Thinking...Different
Evolutionary biologists would tell us that we’re better served by fitting in, following the crowd, and not being different. How boring.
Unfortunately from the time that we are born, there’s tremendous societal pressure to fit in, to conform, to follow the standard path. That makes sense. After all, if there were not some degree of conformity in society things could get a bit crazy. However, it’s exactly these differences that provide the “spice of life” and allow us to learn, grow, and live more fully. These differences are what make us each unique and allow us to contribute in our own special manner. So rather than worry about how you are different, maybe you should celebrate it!
With that in mind:
How are you different?
As always, thanks for the time.
Anger
I think you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who is not presented with some situation during the day that has the potential to bring them to the state of anger. Further, I think just about everyone has had some days where the simplest thing can trigger a bout with anger; and, conversely, other days, where there is nothing that could transpire that would elicit the anger emotion. Isn’t it amazing that the same person can react so differently from day to day? Further, who amongst us really believes that the “angry me” is any way, shape or form better than the “happy” me?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating all of us transforming to Odie from Garfield. For those of you that don’t remember he’s that stupid dog with his tongue out that is absolutely oblivious — but he is happy! Happy and oblivious is not healthy. Happy and aware is tremendously healthy. The reality is anger is normally triggered not be external stimuli, but by our response to those stimuli. And folks, we control our responses. Mind you, it’s not always easy to control our responses; but, ultimately, the choice on how we respond and feel is ours. The challenge is having the self-discipline to recognize that certain triggers are causing us to go in to “auto-angry” mode, realize that this is not the best course of action, consciously decide on an alternative, and pursue this new path.
If I’m right with my initial hypothesis about anger triggers arising each day, you’ll have the opportunity to practice taking these three steps (recognize, choose, adapt) every day. It’s up to you if you decide that it’s worthwhile to let anger control you or for you to control your anger.
It’s the rare person that doesn’t have a bout with anger sometime during the day.
With that in mind:
What’s stopping you from recognizing anger’s onset, choosing a different course, and following that path?
As always, thanks for the time.
Stand
It’s easy to just go with the flow. After all, you know the rules of the game, your role is well defined, you know how to fulfill that role, and it requires minimal effort. And yet, sometimes it just doesn’t feel right. You run through the mental gyrations: it’s not so bad, it’s OK, I must be thinking about this wrong, why am I worried about this?
When you get to this point it’s probably time to step back, figure out what the right thing to do is, and take a stand. No, it won’t be either easy or comfortable at the time. However, standing’s going to allow you to stretch, to flex your muscles, to get a breath of fresh air, and to move on to a healthier place.
With that in mind:
Is it time for you to take a stand?
As always, thanks for the time.
Laughter
Mr. Webster defines an adage as “a proverb or short statement expressing a general truth”. One of the best is:
- Laughter is the best medicine
Why is that? What is it about laughter that makes it such a magical elixir? Two things. First, scientists have proven that there are a number of positive physiological effects of laughter on the body. So laughing actually does provide a sort of physical healing of the body. However, if it were just the physical part of the equation, laughter’s power would not be quite as strong. It’s the second effect of laughter that provides the real power. Laughter involves our relationship with someone else – the friend who tells a joke or the craziness of some action that we observed – while experiencing something out of the ordinary. Laughter’s triggered by us sharing that moment of absurdity. By sharing the recognition that in spite all of our cognitive abilities, there’s still a degree of chaos and uncertainty in our lives beyond our control. And it’s that mutual recognition of the uncertainty, the unexpected, the surprise that brings us joy. Laughter’s power lies in sharing those moments of absurdity with another.
With that in mind:
Have you taken the time to laugh with someone today?
As always, thanks for the time.
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