I know I’m breaking the rule because this isn’t about me, but it’s hilarious:
This week I had to explain to my father after years of him believing people were personally sending him an email every time they changed their profile picture because “they’re so vain” that no, in fact, the great and mighty overlord Zuckerberg sends those without anyone’s permission.
My dad felt better having let that judgment go. Our souls gather cobwebs when unrighteous anger festers.
Grace is always the answer, and so handy when it comes back around.
Well done! From start to finish, you crafted a logical essay on yet another frail human behavior; our innate ability to continually display “unguarded irritable vulnerability”. (IOW) We all (autistic and not) sometimes take ourselves way too personally. But the counter-argument (do I know any other?) is to not “go quietly into the night”, but to become that big brassy broadway production of Les Misérables (French for "The Miserable Ones") in your own home. I can just imagine you belting out “Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "One Day More", right now! It’s just that today, with the power of ever present social media literally at hand, we seem to never be able to make up our own minds and then when we ask for sound advice, we get more sound than advice!" Yes, we are all mad about something and therein lies the issue with our world being overly anxious about the state of anxiety. Our dear lord of indiscretion and governor of self-deprecation; Alfred E. Neumann said more than once: “Most people don't act stupid; it's the real thing.” And “It takes one to know one -- and vice versa!" Although Mad Magazine stopped publishing new material in 2018, it is not lost on me that they ran out of material to parody. In these modern times of instant internet “drama-fixation” ( my own word) people are so easily offended and butthurt about every little thing, the ground for parody on any subject should never be more fertile. Considering who was in the White House then (and now), it just that it is really tough to be satirical about REAL LIFE when REAL LIFE reads like a daily MAD magazine! Mad Magazine’s poetic license with parody was my tonic to the absurdity of life with statements like: “Mythical” is just “mystical” spoken with a lisp.” Ha! Made you smile, didn’t it?
My ever loving guide to the universe and philosophy, Albert Camus saw the struggle of life amongst many in his time; “Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.” His answer was to fight the war of ambivalence and absurdity with rebellion (and perhaps some humor). To never let go easily or without a lot of noise. His four corner approach to life was (a) embrace the absurd; (b) live authentically as you were made (c) live mindfully in the present; and (d) revolt against despair. Yes, life is absurd . To deal with it, embrace it. And give it a good kick in the pants when it gets in your way. rants!
If I knew the lyrics to all the Les Mis songs, trust me that I'd probably sing them from time to time haha. As for Camus and his sentence, that could be the autistic slogan, could it not? WOw that hit hard. Here's to embracing the absurdity, here's to doing our best to know when to kick it, and when to breathe.
Is it possible for me to know I'm autistic solely based on you and Ash's writing? I think so. 😂 I take people not loving me back personally, but mostly I just think of 100 reasons why someone is the way they are. And people really don't like when I point out minor shifts in their behavior. I think this is mostly because they aren't ready to confront themselves on that deep or authentic of a level.
:) I love this. Maybe some further diagnosis is in your future, and you can officially join our superhero squad?! :) You're amazing, whatever the case may be.
I have been slowly losing a life long friend who just is kind of slipping away. Three years in a row I’ve come home to Canada and tried to connect and there is always an excuse or reason that we don’t get together. Before this, this was the first person I came home to. The first person I hugged; who I stayed with and who was part of my family. She and another best friend had a falling out and I kind of think that because I didn’t pick sides, she doesn’t want to see me anymore. I have come up with all kinds of reasons because I’m hurt and I miss her, but this year I decided that it really has nothing to do with me. Whatever is going on in her world has her in a place where I’m not a priority right now. She’s been going through life too. Just like the rest of us and it’s been a heavy few years. So I decided not to be upset or hurt and I just let her know that when and if she’s ready, I’ll be here for her.
So thank you for your advice which reiterates my feelings! It’s the last days of my epic journey back to visit my people and my heart and soul are so full! Aaaaand I just landed in Denver for my newly found annual visit to Red Rocks to see Gregory Alan Isakov! A special end to an amazing trip. Some much needed me time to finish charging my batteries and get ready to head back to reality! One day I hope you guys will be here too!
It's so strange the way time brings people in, then takes some away. The way we change, and as we do, they change, and then the connection changes. All I know of life is this: Deep within ourselves we know, we truly know, who are the "they" worth holding and fighting for, and who are the "they" that came for a time, did what they needed to, and then left. Feel no shame or guilt for this, just allow the space for everyone to be what they are, remembering that they too can always come back, should life require it. We'll get to where we're supposed to get, I firmly believe this.
Thank you for this important reminder. I am so guilty of taking things personally (hello inner empath). This is something that I need to continue practicing. 🙏🏼
Being an empath, I can *feel* people before they even speak. Other people's emotions and circumstances would bombard me.
I had to learn fast how to change this when I began working in retail again, and especially when in my beloved fitting room. It was/is always a practice, and I've become very good at boundaries. So much so, that I can truthfully wish them a good day even if they won't take it [but most do]. I have found ways to break the tensions, usually by complimenting something about them or just being kind. I make eye contact and smile [which was not easy, but has become so, for this introvert.] And the ones who don't take the kindness? *Whoosh!* Not my problem. [Got the whoosh from you too. Allow things to sail by like the wind. I made it *whoosh*.]
Your tips solidify my own. Thank you, as always. [and yeah, I'm late reading / listening to this. I have no excuses! LOL]
Is this like your "maybe they're carrying a cake" Gamechanger when it comes to road rage?
Because you have a way of distilling the human condition in such a manageable ways. Especially considering this Timeline.
Thanks, TKG!
This timeline is testing us like none other hahaha. I aim to please, to soothe hahaha.
I know I’m breaking the rule because this isn’t about me, but it’s hilarious:
This week I had to explain to my father after years of him believing people were personally sending him an email every time they changed their profile picture because “they’re so vain” that no, in fact, the great and mighty overlord Zuckerberg sends those without anyone’s permission.
My dad felt better having let that judgment go. Our souls gather cobwebs when unrighteous anger festers.
Grace is always the answer, and so handy when it comes back around.
You are so right on the money with this Megan. "Our souls gather cobwebs when unrighteous anger festers." YES yes yes yes. Here's to grace.
Well done! From start to finish, you crafted a logical essay on yet another frail human behavior; our innate ability to continually display “unguarded irritable vulnerability”. (IOW) We all (autistic and not) sometimes take ourselves way too personally. But the counter-argument (do I know any other?) is to not “go quietly into the night”, but to become that big brassy broadway production of Les Misérables (French for "The Miserable Ones") in your own home. I can just imagine you belting out “Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "One Day More", right now! It’s just that today, with the power of ever present social media literally at hand, we seem to never be able to make up our own minds and then when we ask for sound advice, we get more sound than advice!" Yes, we are all mad about something and therein lies the issue with our world being overly anxious about the state of anxiety. Our dear lord of indiscretion and governor of self-deprecation; Alfred E. Neumann said more than once: “Most people don't act stupid; it's the real thing.” And “It takes one to know one -- and vice versa!" Although Mad Magazine stopped publishing new material in 2018, it is not lost on me that they ran out of material to parody. In these modern times of instant internet “drama-fixation” ( my own word) people are so easily offended and butthurt about every little thing, the ground for parody on any subject should never be more fertile. Considering who was in the White House then (and now), it just that it is really tough to be satirical about REAL LIFE when REAL LIFE reads like a daily MAD magazine! Mad Magazine’s poetic license with parody was my tonic to the absurdity of life with statements like: “Mythical” is just “mystical” spoken with a lisp.” Ha! Made you smile, didn’t it?
My ever loving guide to the universe and philosophy, Albert Camus saw the struggle of life amongst many in his time; “Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.” His answer was to fight the war of ambivalence and absurdity with rebellion (and perhaps some humor). To never let go easily or without a lot of noise. His four corner approach to life was (a) embrace the absurd; (b) live authentically as you were made (c) live mindfully in the present; and (d) revolt against despair. Yes, life is absurd . To deal with it, embrace it. And give it a good kick in the pants when it gets in your way. rants!
yes, life is absurd
to deal with it, embrace it
then move it, away
If I knew the lyrics to all the Les Mis songs, trust me that I'd probably sing them from time to time haha. As for Camus and his sentence, that could be the autistic slogan, could it not? WOw that hit hard. Here's to embracing the absurdity, here's to doing our best to know when to kick it, and when to breathe.
Is it possible for me to know I'm autistic solely based on you and Ash's writing? I think so. 😂 I take people not loving me back personally, but mostly I just think of 100 reasons why someone is the way they are. And people really don't like when I point out minor shifts in their behavior. I think this is mostly because they aren't ready to confront themselves on that deep or authentic of a level.
:) I love this. Maybe some further diagnosis is in your future, and you can officially join our superhero squad?! :) You're amazing, whatever the case may be.
This really struck home, thank you
As always, you're so entirely welcome. Thank YOU for being here!
I have been slowly losing a life long friend who just is kind of slipping away. Three years in a row I’ve come home to Canada and tried to connect and there is always an excuse or reason that we don’t get together. Before this, this was the first person I came home to. The first person I hugged; who I stayed with and who was part of my family. She and another best friend had a falling out and I kind of think that because I didn’t pick sides, she doesn’t want to see me anymore. I have come up with all kinds of reasons because I’m hurt and I miss her, but this year I decided that it really has nothing to do with me. Whatever is going on in her world has her in a place where I’m not a priority right now. She’s been going through life too. Just like the rest of us and it’s been a heavy few years. So I decided not to be upset or hurt and I just let her know that when and if she’s ready, I’ll be here for her.
So thank you for your advice which reiterates my feelings! It’s the last days of my epic journey back to visit my people and my heart and soul are so full! Aaaaand I just landed in Denver for my newly found annual visit to Red Rocks to see Gregory Alan Isakov! A special end to an amazing trip. Some much needed me time to finish charging my batteries and get ready to head back to reality! One day I hope you guys will be here too!
It's so strange the way time brings people in, then takes some away. The way we change, and as we do, they change, and then the connection changes. All I know of life is this: Deep within ourselves we know, we truly know, who are the "they" worth holding and fighting for, and who are the "they" that came for a time, did what they needed to, and then left. Feel no shame or guilt for this, just allow the space for everyone to be what they are, remembering that they too can always come back, should life require it. We'll get to where we're supposed to get, I firmly believe this.
Thank you for this important reminder. I am so guilty of taking things personally (hello inner empath). This is something that I need to continue practicing. 🙏🏼
Being an empath, I can *feel* people before they even speak. Other people's emotions and circumstances would bombard me.
I had to learn fast how to change this when I began working in retail again, and especially when in my beloved fitting room. It was/is always a practice, and I've become very good at boundaries. So much so, that I can truthfully wish them a good day even if they won't take it [but most do]. I have found ways to break the tensions, usually by complimenting something about them or just being kind. I make eye contact and smile [which was not easy, but has become so, for this introvert.] And the ones who don't take the kindness? *Whoosh!* Not my problem. [Got the whoosh from you too. Allow things to sail by like the wind. I made it *whoosh*.]
Your tips solidify my own. Thank you, as always. [and yeah, I'm late reading / listening to this. I have no excuses! LOL]