Happy New Year, everyone. I'm sure you have heard that a million times already on TV, from strangers, friends, loved ones. All the good will we can muster has been crowded into the past 2 weeks. My only wish is that it could last through the next 50 weeks. It seems once the decorations are stored away, the frustrations and short fuses multiply; and, when someone cuts me off, takes too long to get my food order right, makes a rude remark in passing, I begin grumbling under my breath (I'm usually never a vocal madwoman).
The negativity doesn't just creep in; it implodes destroying within and then billowing out like the old Dust Bowl storms of the 30's. My husband just remarked about watching a particular show and how no one has anything nice to say to each other any more. This was just seconds after he got off the phone berating a contractor for his late billing and complaining how his adult daughter wasn't as nice as she should have been to his men friends. Oddly enough, the show he was watching was demonstrating how a father was losing connection with his family because of his constant complaining, and my dear hubby could not see the similarity at all. His negativity isn't the focus here. As a matter of fact it's just that it surrounds us in the news, sitcoms, dramas, politics, on the freeway, at work, and sadly at some dinner tables. Trying to make a positive comment gets you an accusation of being a Pollyanna. Or, as with my M.O. stay silent and complacent, which can be just as destructive.
Even as old as I am, I'm still learning when to keep my mouth shut and when to speak up. Definitely, it's easy to see that the the time to shut up is when I want to complain about something, and the time to speak out is to try to assuage the negativity of others. The HOW and WHAT to say something falls below my tactful radar though. Oh, one more observation, I can do this pretty easily with strangers. It's practicing this with my dearest ones that is the biggest hurdle. It's a frustrating balancing act, but I am determined to figure out how to walk that tightrope. Then the biggest challenge is to make it last longer than the weight loss/exercise resolutions that have already begun to wane. I do wish you better luck than I am having in this redo of good will toward ALL. .
ROOTS AND WINGS: Marriage, Motherhood, Moments, and Memories
Thursday, January 5, 2012
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Blessings to you,
Suzanne
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Your reference to television makes me wonder and become sentimental about the shows that were on in the 50's and 60's. Of course, there were serious things but there truly funny things that didn't rely on sarcasm and poor taste. Of course, there was Laugh In in a class all by itself. I'm no prude but did you mention something in a past post about your mother saying a clever thing about biting one's tongue. I'll have to scroll back. I'm also no dummy but I like being a Pollyanna!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. Negativity can be so contagious. As for the holidays, I always say I'll get more mileage out of them. This year I did. I bought a fresh tree the week before Thanksgiving. Most of all, I was actually able to think of things that get lost in the shuffle. I have a goal - to carry the holiday spirit into the New Year and give all year round. First of all, I have family members who need help and the challenge will be how to help them keep their pride when receiving.
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