What are you thinking about?

What if you had a limited supply of anger and worry? Maybe you have a certain number of minutes in your lifetime to expend energy based on indignation or angst, and then that emotion and the accompanying motivation is gone forever? How would you spend it?

Here’s the scenario…you’ve spent hours venting with friends and coworkers about your frustration over…

the current administration   health care reformers    the previous administration   computer technical support    farm subsidies    school systems  social systems   your siblings   your parents   your lack of income   your children   your grandchildren   your employees
layoffs   cutbacks   waste    pollution    other people’s children   global warming    the death of bees   corporate farming    government waste    long lines at the post office    nancy pelosi    other drivers   long lines at the supermarket     tuition costs     rent     republicans    democrats    sarah palin    rush limbaugh…

This list seems limitless. There are so many things we choose to be full of woe and worry over every day. In fact, for some, the majority of their time is spent dwelling on such things. Most are things we can do absolutely nothing about! Remember the rule…

If it’s worth being angry about, feeling guilty about or worrying over—it’s worth doing something about. If it’s not worth doing something about, let. it. go.

Do you think your company sucks the energy out of its employees? Suggest that someone in HR call the team at CultureMD.com. If you don’t feel comfortable doing something about it, by all means, stop talking about it. Your attitude contributes to the dark and angry cloud that damages the culture. Whatever you say and whatever attitude you project creates the light or dark in which you reside. It’s pretty hard to feel much better when every word that comes out of your mouth has the underlying intention to project how well you’re getting on in spite of it all!

I’m not saying we can’t have bad grumbly days. I’m just wondering if we’d handle them differently if we thought we had to ration our angry moments and hours of worry to be sure we had enough to get us through a lifetime. I mean, what if I spend all my anger quota up on things like politics and health care reform (honestly—I’m powerless to do anything about either, save writing the occasional letter to my congressional delegation) and then, when I need to advocate for my elderly neighbor who is being treated unfairly by the city, or when I need to stand up in the face of intolerance and bigotry…I have no words or energy left? What if I couldn’t summon my righteous indignation because I used all my indignation up over things that really…didn’t…matter…after…all. What if?

I will think on new things today. Good things. Care to join me?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever isright, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—ifanything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

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NancyMyrland 71 pts

Mimi, you've written such an important post here. You summed it up perfectly in your last paragraph, using Philippians 4:8. What a great reminder about what we should be spending our time thinking about, focusing on and cultivating. Isn't that a lot more fun, and definitely more rewarding for all?! xoxo

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MimiMeredith 190 pts moderator

NancyMyrland Nancy, the wonder of my new blog host is that I've no idea when you left this comment (this post was written much earlier this year, but when all my old posts were migrated, anything prior to April was pulled in as April 1...but at least they're here :)!) I love Philippians, and I wish that I could always remember to practice the beautiful wisdom of this passage. It is a much more fun and rewarding way to live my life and certainly a better foundation for relationships. I do so hope I get to meet you someday!

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