Reflection #56 Forgo the Drama
The Gap Year: Reflection #56 Forgo the Drama
“God save us from gloomy saints!”― St. Theresa of Avila
Now, in these later years, I see more clearly who I am and what the world is. I’m overcoming my self-involvement. I have the head space to keep tabs on my own emotions and set healthy boundaries. To know what is my stuff and what is theirs. With growing self-aware, I separate my own needs and desires from those of others. I’ve learned the importance of checking in on myself to monitor my own quirks, blind spots, and recurring stories. I ask, “What part of this interaction is about me and what is not about me?” Yes, I assume responsibility for myself.
You, like me, probably know people who are addicted to drama. For some this drama may be a way to get attention by telling their troubles. For others, it may be a point of pride that they are so put upon. I wonder if, in a sense, they are enjoying their own or other people’s troubles. Are they in need of attention or sympathy? We need to guard against creating or taking on another’s woes as if it is all about us; seeing ourselves at the center of their problem.
The drama can be compounded by the daily bombardment of negative images through television and social media. I can be drug down before I even realize it. I can only filter so many until I find myself feeling negative about life in today’s world. I feel my tension rise from these negative images.
Here is what we can tell ourselves. Stay clear of relishing self-pity or drama. Try not to catastrophize. Opening our hearts, life becomes not so much about difficulties, although they surely will arise. We simply, with an open heart, can hold everything more lightly.
Now it’s your turn. Take time to reflect and, if in a group, share as you feel able.
I am learning:
• see more clearly who I am and what the world is.
• hold everything more lightly.
• assume responsibility for myself.
• check in on my own quirks, blind spots, and recurring stories.