In other words, don't judge a book job by its back cover blurbs.
I"m a natural pessimist, and I've learned over the years to crank up my pessimism in order to appreciate the (usually good) contents of the nasty package. The worst things in life, like 2020, come with no wrapping at all because the monsters who design the worst things USE surprise to maximize the pain. Innovative Disruption is the core of their personality.
As the saying goes, Attitude is Everything. It's okay and natural to feel disappointed/hurt/angry after a setback but the way to the Hopeful Horizon (as I like to put it) is never a straight line but a path complicated by twists and backward steps. The trick is to keep going forward (you really have no choice) and finding humor, even if it's morbid and self-effacing, in the worst situations the Universe can throw at you.
Do you know the old Russian tale about the horse and the farmer ??? Hope this isn’t too long …
The Farmer & the Horse
There was a farmer in a small village with a single horse who helped him earn a living for his family. The other villagers constantly told the farmer how lucky he was to have such a great horse.
Maybe,” he would reply.
One day, the horse ran away. The villagers came to the farmer to express their sympathies.
”Your horse ran away. How unfortunate!“ the villagers exclaimed.
”Maybe,” the farmer replied.
A few days later, the horse returned home, with ten strong wild horses in tow.
”What good fortune. What incredible luck,” the villagers crowed.
”Maybe,” the farmer again replied.
The following week, the farmer’s son was riding one of the wild horses in the fields, when it kicked him off and broke his leg.
The villagers arrived to express their dismay.
”What dismal luck,” they said.
”Maybe,” the farmer replied.
The next month, a military officer marched into the village, recruiting able-bodied young men for the war. The farmer’s son, with his broken leg, was left behind.
The villagers were joyful, “Your son has been spared. What beautiful luck!”
Life is a journey. Riding through it is an adventure with all the bumps & curves it throws our way. Enjoy the ride with disappointments & joy. Kind of fun to see where we go & where we’ve been!
Love the nesting dolls imagery - we went through a Big Bad event (bread winner on disability) and now (coming up on 3 years) the nesting doll/s with the “positive” are starting to be revealed.
I sometimes feel like that nesting doll is hiding one of those springy snakes all coiled up waiting to *SPONG!* out at me. when things go sideways, I try to recognize that it's not my whole life that is donuting into the ditch, just this one thing, and, this too, will pass.
In the 80's my job was cut along with a bunch of other programs at a LARGER medical association (yes, that one). I applied for jobs in the same organization--finally got one on the "other side" of the house. Lateral move, lower title, same pay. Less than 2 years later, I was invited to apply for a Marketing job at a much higher level. Why? Because I was the ONLY person in the organization who had worked on BOTH sides of the house (Science AND Education). I became one of the top 5 female executives in that organization because of the original job cuts. When it happens it can be devastating. You can only look back to see the silver lining -- or the nesting doll.
I don't know if you (or any of your fans) are familiar with the old Addams Family comic (or '60s TV show), but I've always loved -- and do my best to emulate -- Gomez's ability to see absolutely any situation in a positive light.
He could come home to a house-on-fire and would exclaim -- with a huge smile on his face -- "CAPITAL! Now we can finally finish-up those marshmallows that have been in the trunk of the car all this time..." or some such.
Great post! The wrapping paper analogy reminded me of a time I got a birthday gift wrapped in Christmas paper. I didn’t think it would be a good gift, since the giver didn’t even spend time making sure it was wrapped appropriately. It turned out to be a book from my wish list! I quickly forgot about the wrapping paper. 😊
In other words, don't judge a book job by its back cover blurbs.
I"m a natural pessimist, and I've learned over the years to crank up my pessimism in order to appreciate the (usually good) contents of the nasty package. The worst things in life, like 2020, come with no wrapping at all because the monsters who design the worst things USE surprise to maximize the pain. Innovative Disruption is the core of their personality.
As the saying goes, Attitude is Everything. It's okay and natural to feel disappointed/hurt/angry after a setback but the way to the Hopeful Horizon (as I like to put it) is never a straight line but a path complicated by twists and backward steps. The trick is to keep going forward (you really have no choice) and finding humor, even if it's morbid and self-effacing, in the worst situations the Universe can throw at you.
You KNOW I agree with that!!
Thank you for that! My Monday, which started with disappointment, already feels better!
Thank you! I hope your week rapidly gets better!
Mantra for when bad things happen: What could be the hidden good thing I cannot see?
EXACTLY.
Love the nesting dolls idea! Thanks!
Happy Monday!
Do you know the old Russian tale about the horse and the farmer ??? Hope this isn’t too long …
The Farmer & the Horse
There was a farmer in a small village with a single horse who helped him earn a living for his family. The other villagers constantly told the farmer how lucky he was to have such a great horse.
Maybe,” he would reply.
One day, the horse ran away. The villagers came to the farmer to express their sympathies.
”Your horse ran away. How unfortunate!“ the villagers exclaimed.
”Maybe,” the farmer replied.
A few days later, the horse returned home, with ten strong wild horses in tow.
”What good fortune. What incredible luck,” the villagers crowed.
”Maybe,” the farmer again replied.
The following week, the farmer’s son was riding one of the wild horses in the fields, when it kicked him off and broke his leg.
The villagers arrived to express their dismay.
”What dismal luck,” they said.
”Maybe,” the farmer replied.
The next month, a military officer marched into the village, recruiting able-bodied young men for the war. The farmer’s son, with his broken leg, was left behind.
The villagers were joyful, “Your son has been spared. What beautiful luck!”
The farmer simply smiled.
”Maybe.”
thank you for sharing! I appreciated the smile!
Yes, I love this one!
Life is a journey. Riding through it is an adventure with all the bumps & curves it throws our way. Enjoy the ride with disappointments & joy. Kind of fun to see where we go & where we’ve been!
So true.
Love the nesting dolls imagery - we went through a Big Bad event (bread winner on disability) and now (coming up on 3 years) the nesting doll/s with the “positive” are starting to be revealed.
I sometimes feel like that nesting doll is hiding one of those springy snakes all coiled up waiting to *SPONG!* out at me. when things go sideways, I try to recognize that it's not my whole life that is donuting into the ditch, just this one thing, and, this too, will pass.
Oh, that's a good way to think about it!
I'm in the trenches of internship applications. Really manifesting I meet my husband through this now
Lol! Yes!
In the 80's my job was cut along with a bunch of other programs at a LARGER medical association (yes, that one). I applied for jobs in the same organization--finally got one on the "other side" of the house. Lateral move, lower title, same pay. Less than 2 years later, I was invited to apply for a Marketing job at a much higher level. Why? Because I was the ONLY person in the organization who had worked on BOTH sides of the house (Science AND Education). I became one of the top 5 female executives in that organization because of the original job cuts. When it happens it can be devastating. You can only look back to see the silver lining -- or the nesting doll.
Ah ha! Love that, Sharon!
Congratulations, Sharon! Good things happen to people who work hard & you did, patiently! 👍🏼👍🏼
I don't know if you (or any of your fans) are familiar with the old Addams Family comic (or '60s TV show), but I've always loved -- and do my best to emulate -- Gomez's ability to see absolutely any situation in a positive light.
He could come home to a house-on-fire and would exclaim -- with a huge smile on his face -- "CAPITAL! Now we can finally finish-up those marshmallows that have been in the trunk of the car all this time..." or some such.
An inspiration to all, IMO.
Great post! The wrapping paper analogy reminded me of a time I got a birthday gift wrapped in Christmas paper. I didn’t think it would be a good gift, since the giver didn’t even spend time making sure it was wrapped appropriately. It turned out to be a book from my wish list! I quickly forgot about the wrapping paper. 😊