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February 2025 . . . . Dont just do something, sit there! ![]() Someone once wisely said it will get worse before it gets worse. They meant it to be funny, that kind of offhand snark that passes for humor in a time when little is actually laughable and so fewer and fewer of us are laughing. It feels more intrusive of late. Or something of a jinx the saying of which makes things actually happen. Or, if you dont believe in such hoodoo, it is a secret truth each of us harbors because we think about it so often that were tired of it, and are afraid everyone else is, too. But they may be right. It however you choose to define that word may get uglier. Unfortunately, you may experience more of whatever it is that is not good. In fact, that is the whole theme behind the book of Revelation in the Bible. That things feel bad because they are bad. You are in pain, we are in pain, trouble, turmoil, a dire situation. Dont worry, it will get worse. Still, there is another side to the path each of us is on. Stay with me on this. Im no theologian, no pastor nor priest, not a prophet and not a psychologist. Not a teacher. I dont know how to heal or help, and thats really not the point of this space I give myself each month. I barely have suggestions: Take a deep breath. Go for a walk. Try a different path. Be in the moment. But theyre good suggestions. Take a breath. A deep one. Four beats on the inhale, four holding, four on the exhale, and four empty. Again. Once more. Put on your shoes and go for a walk. Open a book and go for a walk. Put on some music and go for a walk. Sit somewhere quiet, after going for a walk. Going for a walk? Try a different path. As someone wisely said, when you come to a fork in the road, take it. You do have choices. Dont feed that hungry, angry, frustrated wolf, no matter how it manifests itself. All of which is easier said than done. Define that how you will. Although the thing itself is based on an amateur study of behavior types by two women during the 30s and 40s, the familiar but pseudo-scientific MyersBriggs personality profiles model has been found to have some redeeming qualities for learning about ourselves. One thing I gleaned from it that I think makes sense is that while we have distinct personality traits introvert, extrovert, feeling, and thinking they are not rules that bind us. Just ruts we may be caught in. When those ruts work for us (and theres a strange beginning to a sentence), well, terrific. But when they dont, theyre just ruts. We each have the capacity to climb out of them and find a new way. Turn away from frustration. Discern boundaries for yourself and hold to them. Push the envelope whenever you can. Dont depend on your own brute force, either. If help is offered, accept it. That very act of accepting help might be assisting someone else trying to climb out of their own rut. Wield Occams razor The simplest explanation is usually the best one (or the right one). I have always interpreted this to mean when all else fails to fit, what is left is probably (although not absolutely) right. I use this for many of my decisions in life. I often appear to be a procrastinator, therefore, because sometimes the answer is no, and sometimes the answer is to do nothing. Which infuriates those who think actions speak louder than words. Be intentional When you go upstairs, hold the railing. When buying someone a gift, think about it more. When doing things, dont do other things. Write what you are writing. Read what you are reading. Eat when eating, sleep when sleeping. When you speak to someone, say what you mean. When they are speaking, listen to what they are saying. So by now it must seem like Im blowing sunshine . . . wherever. And I guess I am. Is it because I think it will all work out? No, but I do want to be here if and when it does. And what did the wise one say? It will all work out in the end. If it hasnt worked out, its not the end.
Garry editor@blotterrag.com
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