Tag: optimism

Saying No to a Visit to a World of Hurt

How many times has someone threatened in a movie or real life, to send someone to a world of hurt?

So, what would a world of hurt look like?

Would it look like the earth spinning in space in a black, blue and red color scheme?

Or perhaps Mars with a reddish hue?

Would it have rings like Saturn to signify different levels of hurt?

Would you need a passport to enter?

I have no idea how or what worlds of hurt would look like. I just know I see too many I care for visiting it too often.

Of course no one would choose to live in a world of hurt?

How can someone choose to send you to a place that one knows is inherently unhappy and painful? I’d just say, “no thanks, I’ll stay where I am.”

Not quite sure anyone could be convinced to live there even by threats.

Many people live in that world as unpleasant as it may be.

I wonder how populated that world could become before climate control becomes an issue? Or even the Ozone layer or carbon emissions?

Do they drive in a world of hurt or is it only mass transit?  Do normal people live there or is like California, an asylum with palm trees?

And here is my big question…in a world of hurt is it physical pain or mental anguish that sends and keeps you there?

Can you leave or are you stuck there for life?

This world of hurt we hear so much about perhaps we should examine exactly what it entails and how many actually choose to live there. Then there are others who run in the other direction when they see the charter arriving at the airport.

I am a firm believer that there is more than one world of hurt. Although never mentioned in the threat there are probably levels here.

No one says I’m going to put you into a world of hurt on level two. Would that be hurt that comes in waves instead of being present all the time?

Sort of like the feeling you get when you watch the news. Sudden pangs of nausea followed by moments of relief and then the nausea strikes again.

Do they pass out medication to relieve the hurt in any way? On earth people turn to drugs to take away hurt mental or physical, like a bad bout of arthritis. Yep, there are lots of worlds of hurt after all.

I imagine there are lots of bars and cocktails flowing in this world of hurt no matter what level you land on.

So, if level two is waves of pain, what is level one? Is that easier or more difficult to maneuver?

Perhaps the worlds of pain are set up like Dante’s levels of hell. Each getting progressively worse until all hell breaks loose at the lowest level.

Let’s face it. No one has to leave this planet to experience a world of hurt. I’d say that alone negates the need for any such threats to anyone.

I’m going to put you in a world of hurt is rather redundant for there is enough in this life to supply that need if one is thrust there involuntarily.

Sadly, we all know too many who are hurting. Some even in a constant state of hurt that seem stuck and mired down in a muddy puddle of pain.

So how much can one do to leave this world if the pain is thrust upon us?

If the cause cannot be rectified or changed by circumstances beyond our control?

After all we as humans only have so much power here.

Sure we hear a great deal about attitude. You have to keep a positive attitude and life will again become a bed of roses.

Sorry, no roses when you can’t resurrect the dead. And relying on happy memories to get us through doesn’t cut the mustard when a broken heart is involved in the equation. So begs the question…are there levels in this world of hurt that cannot be transcended?

Or is the human spirit designed to allow for a method of surviving in two worlds at once. Side by side where hurt and pain can co-exist alongside happiness and joy?

Is this automatic and something humans can control, or a part of us already inside like a switch that turns on and off?

None of us reach Baby Boomer age without experiencing pain and loss. The levels may differ and let’s face it, the strength and resolve of the human spirit differs in everyone.

Some may bounce back more quickly while others dwell for long periods of time mired in sadness and loss.

We as humans are unfortunately afflicted with many chances to visit this world of hurt. Death sickness, loss, and all the other misfortunes of this life.

We suffer for ourselves and we also suffer for others we love and care about. By very virtue of our compassion, we find ourselves thrust into sadness. So there is little chance any of us has not visited this world of hurt numerous times.

Whether we leave quickly or spend a great deal of time there depends not only on us, but by circumstance.

We all seem to travel between realms and I imagine it’s best to remember that we live in many worlds, joy, elation, happiness, contentment and peace that we move between daily. Don’t we all come out a bit battered and bruised as we pass through?

Hopefully we become adept and fortunate enough to remain in worlds of peace and joy most of the time we spend in this universe.

In this new year I’m buying a ticket for the world of optimism. I hear there is a four-star restaurant on every level there. Please join me and enjoy a fabulous new year filled with joy, happiness and hope for a great future.

Living in a State of Gratitude. Is That Even Possible?

Lately an expression seems to be going around that is quickly getting overused and overworked. In California there is an overabundance of platitudes called upon far too frequently. Aside from hearing this newest addition ad nauseum, I am seriously wondering what it really means.

More and more there are those who wish to portray themselves as superior, virtuous beings by constantly expressing they are living in a state of gratitude.

My question is first and foremost, where is the state of gratitude? Is it in the USA? I don’t think so. We only have fifty states last time I heard. Although I read somewhere they are adding a fifty first, the State of Confusion. It would be the most populated state in America.

Is the state of gratitude in Europe? Highly doubtful. Maybe an island in the Caribbean or the Cayman’s where lots of Americans could join their money.

How would we find it? Is it on a map? Perhaps it’s hanging around under the water near Atlantis. The lost city of gratitude and only a fortunate few are lucky enough to have seen it.

Is it expensive to live there? How is the food? Should you rent or own?

What are the laws in the state of gratitude? Is there inflation and how are the interest rates there? What type of cuisine do they feature?

So after hearing people talk about this new locale now more visited than the Grand Canyon, I had to wonder: Do you live there all the time or can you leave and come back again? Do you need a passport?

It seems to me that no one could live there all day, every day and although most make it sound as though they do, I can’t imagine that is the case.

I mean you are driving along living in the state of gratitude and suddenly someone plows into your brand-new Mercedes.

Hmmm. Do you now leave the state of gratitude for a few moments to bitch and yell at the idiot who cut you off and smashed your new car?

Is your first response. Oh thank you. I’m so grateful you crashed into my new car and gave me a serious whiplash. Why am I doubting that is the case?

Pretty silly to walk around saying I live in a state of gratitude isn’t it? Simply because that would be impossible.

Those who are constantly preaching about their occupancy in that state, make it seem it’s like a total 100% existence.

We all have heard our whole lives that those who are thankful for both the little and big things in life are happiest, so all strive for that meaning.

We are grateful for the people we love and thankful they are well. We are happy when we get up in the morning, open our eyes and see another day.

Let’s be realistic here; life for most of us is a roller coaster of ups and downs. The human condition dictates we must face those challenges we are afflicted by daily.

Death, illness, a bad turn of events we didn’t expect, having to listen to the stupidity out of the mouths of politicians and all other means of unpleasantness to which flesh is heir.

So does living in a state of gratitude mean that when something horrible happens we are not allowed to be bummed? That we are not allowed to feel badly for someone who is suffering a loss or streak of misfortune?

I think it’s wonderful when one can say, even in the darkest of times they are grateful for all the good they have. Despite the negativity thrust upon them.

That is called optimism, thankfulness, gratitude or however you wish to identify the feeling, and it’s a good way to live.

Yet when one literally brags constantly about how grateful they are, it rings hallow. It feels as though someone is lecturing or bragging. Does it mean that when misfortune appears we are less of a person if at that moment of pain we don’t feel any gratitude at losing a loved one? Or for hearing the misfortunate of a friend or witnessing the horrors we see every day now in the world?

It almost makes one feel as though these people who constantly preach about their own sense of gratitude are somehow lording it over the rest of us.

That they know something we don’t and have discovered the answer to the riddle of the Sphinx.

I figured it all out and you’re all still in the dark.

Are they so enlightened they can stay in a state of gratitude even when the very nature of human existence is to feel sorrow, happiness, pain, remorse and empathy?

Shall we simply rise above every excruciating deed we witness and say I can’t feel this I’m in the state of gratitude. That’s my protection, so pass me a brownie, please. What type of gates can protect one from the emotions life delivers daily?

I must object to those who would tout their unfailing thankfulness when we merely see someone who is saying, I’m cool with everything and it’s great to be me. I have what I need to be happy, you need to get yours.

There will be times in every life when it’s almost impossible to be grateful. That isn’t the grand plan. Life throws us curveballs and even when we try to hit it out of the park, we sometimes fall short of the fence.

Although we as humans aspire to the highest ideals, it is a long-established fact on planet earth you won’t find perfection here.

It’s easy to be grateful for the great moments in life that come our way, but being grateful for the little things is a cultivated talent. Indeed, one for which we all should strive.  But it’s hard to listen to those who speak about gratitude as a new dress or outfit they can don as easily as slipping it over their head.

We are grateful and should be. We just are not grateful for those who tell us when and how to feel thankful. I imagine that is between us and our maker, and holier-than-thous should just keep their platitudes to themselves.

P.S. I’m thankful for all my readers, so that’s one for me. Have a great day and be grateful for how easy it still is to find chocolate.