Want a good life! Seek out normalcy and the ordinary! Perhaps because so many young adults grew up watching "soaps" or Jerry Springer-type daytime TV shows, what is normal and ordinary behavior is often blurred. At no other time than in one's late twenties and early thirties do we have the sense that we are "starring" in their own lives. Along with this starring role comes a tendency to seek out drama. This may consists of dramatic friends (to whom we refer fondly as characters) and experiences outside of our comfort zones (adventures which may or may not be healthy for us.) While a little drama can be a healthy spice to our life, living a dramatic life is ultimately unfulfilling and exhausting.
Our culture does not encourage the normal and ordinary either. The overt messages from the media are that one should "Party on!" "Work hard, play hard" and "Fall for that tall, dark, handsome/beautiful, mysterious stranger." All of this is pure baloney.
If you don't want to jeopardize your romantic relationship, think less partying at bars with strangers and more candlelit dinners with your partner. If you don't want to get involved in a friend's crazy "bad vibes," arrange short, supportive coffees in public places rather than an afternoon of "sturm and drang" (rehashing, listening to hysterics, etc.). Being dragged into other peoples' antics leaves you less powerful and capable of dealing with your own real issues.
Studies have shown that contentment ultimately brings greater happiness than exhilaration. So a little exhiiaration and drama may be fine, but constantly remaining in a state of crises, or creating situations which result in drama for yourself and others leaves little time for pursuit of the things that really matter in life.
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