E + R = O

Have you ever been with someone who makes you just want to SCREAM? Someone who makes it seem like their mission in life is to push each and every one of your buttons and make sure you self-destruct? Yeah, well, I have, and sometimes I wonder why I stick around. Maybe it's because I can't let go of things. Maybe it's because I remember all the good this person has done and it somehow outweighs the awful. Maybe coz I'm hopeful that things will turn out for the better. Or maybe just coz I'm nuts. Was recently at a Jack Canfield seminar (not as a participant, as the interpreter) - he's one of the authors of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series - and his theory is that everything in life can be summed up by the equation E + R = O. That is, an "event" plus your "reaction" equals a certain "outcome". Further, he said that the only part of the equation we have any influence over is our own response, and that makes all the difference to the ultimate outcome. It's something to think about. It's how I've been coping with annoying situations lately. I still complain and moan and pout - that's just who I am, and that will never permanently change - but more and more, I try to respond differently to the same-old, "in a rut" situations I find myself stuck in. It's of course part of my vow to live realistically. I realize I can't change other people, and there are just somethings out of my direct control, but I'll be darned if I'm going to be walked all over without my consent. Had enough of that. My friend told me I'm the victim in so many situations. Yeah, well, maybe I am, but nowadays I know, for the most part, it's a conscious decision on my end. Take work, for instance. I know my boss is pretty much gypping me. He's paying me much less than I'm worth, I know it, but I like my job. It's easy, it's relatively stress-free and once I made up my mind to smile and nod along with my co-workers, I found I'm having a pretty good time. So, what I might be losing monetary-wise, I figure I earn in emotional credit. No pressure - how many workplaces can boast that? Before, I might've fumed and fumed about it, but now I realize there's actually no point in that. And besides, my boss reminds me a little of my brother, if my brother didn't have me as a sister, hahaha. He seems like he could benefit from a bit of sisterly advice. The guy likes to call women "chicks", for heaven's sakes! Funny, and little sad if you were sixteen and in high school; not so funny, and a lot of sad when you're pushing thirty and in charge of other people. Apparently, he's the guy who pushes everyone's self-destruct button at work, but I'm okay with him. For now. We'll see what other events may pop up and my reaction to them.

Final thought: Let's see what other events crop up.