Sick of PeopleI have gone as long as two weeks before either the pain gets so great or someone calls me on my behavior. Two weeks where my discontent with people, places and things grows to the point that I'm ready to quit my job, my relationship; whatever it takes to get away from the idiots that seem to suddenly fill my life. Someone once told me that if the first three people I meet in any day are rude to me then it is time for me to examine my own attitude. And years ago I read that it is a spiritual axiom that 'when I'm upset there is something wrong with me'. All that is fine - assuming I can remember it, and assuming I'm interested in what either of these little nuggets is trying to tell me. The problem is me but when I'm in the middle of the thing it is so hard to recognize. All I can think about is myself and how I'm feeling. Sometimes no friend is available (or willing) to stop me and challenge my attitude, and so, I continue until I'm so miserable that I start hating the sound of my own complaining and whining and then, only then, am I able to take action to end my sickening behavior. The antidote, when I'm ready for it, is to stop thinking about myself and do some service for others. That works because the cause of my misery is at its root, self centeredness. As long as I'm absorbed by self and into that deepening, sickening spiral of worry about what's going to happen to me, or, is someone not treating me with enough respect, or, will I not get something I want or will I lose something I have - and on and on and on until I reach the before mentioned place where even I'm sick of me, I cannot feel better. I have to think about others. Someone at work with a sick child; a friend with business problems; a lover struggling with a health issue, these are issues worthy of taking my mind off myself. When I focus on others the relief is rapid. The return to wholeness and the joy of life comes in days or even hours. It is a miraculous cure and I provide my own treatment. Submitted by Margaret Kelsey
Chapel Hill, NC |
Safety The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Holy Bible (King James Version)
The Book of Psalms, Psalm 23. |
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