I like you just the way you are.
However, if you are hell bent on making New Years Resolutions have the decency and courtesy to avoid those self esteem destroying, I'm gonna lose 25 pounds by swimming suit season, types. I'll all for self improvement, but a bit of self delusion goes a long way.
Allow me to offer the hardest resolution suggestion that you will ever encounter. It is in fact mind numbingly easy, it simply requires you to change your entire world view. You will find that if you utilize its simple principles, over time it will improve every aspect of your life. And its free.
With heartfelt thanks to my old boss, Hap Lignoul, and author Douglas Adams I call it NMP. NMP should become your mantra. NMP, as in Not My Problem.
Imagine you're sitting at home worrying that your doofus high schooler forgot his homework, or scheduled 3 calendar conflicts. Instead of stewing about it, remember NMP. You're not paying the price, so do not give it another thought.
Co-workers flight leaves in an hour and he hasn't left for the airport yet? Bummer. NMP
Is your neighbor off her diet? NMP
Did Karen order the office supplies? NMP
Not for the world, would I suggest you give up your kind, generous, thoughtful manner. What I am suggesting is, that if everyone worried about their own small piece of the world, and kept their nose out of everyone else's business, the world would be a much better place. Your stress level falls instantly. Your blood pressure falls. You live a longer and healthier life. Your near adult children may learn the value of price paying,and responsibility, once they figure out you love them enough to let them fail, HARD. Focus on those things you are responsible for, and leave the rest.
Try it, I dare ya.
Toad
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11 comments:
Way long ago, it was Erma Bombeck who wrote "don't sweat the small stuff" -- "small stuff" meaning almost anything short of a major catastrophe (like a Hurricane) -- I have followed that since . . . sort of like NMP!
Toad....it took me forty years to get the NMP approach. Thanks. LFG and I just returned from visiting my mom and it was great. Without the NMP strategy, those visits would become high drama in about 15 minutes.
Toad,
I grew up in a NMP household. Truly, it does teach responsibility.
Happy New Year!
Kathleen
Living with my mother I had to learn this one young! She made everything her problem and I knew I would go insane if I followed the same path! I still worry about things that are NMP from time to time but for the most part unless it affects me...I dont care!
You are all to be commended. The world would be a much better place if we each focused on our stuff, and let other people's alone.
Trying, trying, trying. Thanks for the reminder.
I subscribe to the theory of not worrying about things that I can't change. It was hard, involving a night lost in a canyon (where we'd seen bears), a missed flight back to the east coast and no food or water. But i learned a huge lesson!
Meg, it would be tough to top that story.
A wonderful tip. Thanks and Happy New Year!
ML
mlanesepic.blogspot.com
A tall order, Toad. But I'll give it a shot.
Yes, but what do you do when they try to drag you into their problem? What's the kind and gentle way of saying "NMP"?
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