It's been far too long since I've last posted. And I can see what a difference in my life NOT posting does.
When I choose a topic to write about, I usually let it sit inside my brain for awhile before I write about it. But today, that's just not the case. Today has been the culmination of many things that boil down to a simple concept; taking on the world.
When I say this, I don't mean anything like "lets take on the world and kick some ass!" I mean...taking on the world as in immersing yourself in the worlds problems and then new personal problems come about.
Much has been going on for me in my work life and personal life and I have wondered why I have been especially stressed out lately. It dawned on me as I was roasting up my coffee for tomorrow that I have been feeling stressed out and whatnot because I have been getting myself involved in problems where I simply don't need to be. So, with that noted, its time to shed some "junk." Get back to my reality. Get involved in solving my own problems.
It doesn't mean that those problems are any less valued than my own -- it's just that it's not my place to become part of the problem. It's important to hold an objective, outside opinion about anything that doesn't directly effect you. My cousin gave me a metaphor that I have recently neglected to pay attention to: everyone has a hoola hoop around them and you can only take care of the issues and things going on inside your own personal hoola hoop. You're not responsible for other people's hoops! Even now, as I recall this, I can feel the muscles in my back relaxing and maybe tomorrow will be a brighter day.
It's important to give value to other people's problems - don't negate them. But it doesn't mean that it has to become your problem as well. Sometimes it's enough to simply be an ear for someone who is dealing with something a little bit more than what they want to handle. And we often times need an ear to listen to us in dealing with our own issues. It's give and take. But it's not perfect - it's a tricky balance, that is, the line between being a supportive listener to becoming involved.
I know that for myself, at least, if I remain involved in the moment, dealing with my own issues as they arise, in a well thought out process, then my stress level remains low. If I let those problems spin out of control and I begin to take on other problems that aren't mine, the stress level increases dramatically.
So, in simple terms, listen and learn but don't partake. And don't expect others to partake in your problems either. You don't solve much by expecting others to solve things for you. We are individuals in a community and our individuality needs to be respected, most of all by ourselves.
