Small Town Therapist on Anxiety and Amusement

 

Halloween 

Instant gratification takes too long.   Lily Tomlin

Two of my tragic flaws are: 1.always being in a hurry and 2. having a bit of anxiety. Lately I'm on constant overload thinking that there's a risk that all of us could be losing our democracy---anxiety x10. I do know the drill, and I should be taking more time to breathe and reflect. This doesn't come easily to me. I pay a heavy price for obsessing over the damn polls- which I've been warned to stop viewing. 

Until a drag queen walks into a school and beats eight kids to death with To Kill a Mockingbird I think we're focusing on the wrong shit.    Wanda Sikes

Since July I've been rejuvenated, thrilled really, about the new found hope with the Kamala Harris /Tim Walz campaign for the democrats. Now the democrats are focusing on what's important. Women's rights, dignity and equality for all people, tax breaks for the poor and middle class, and kindness and hope are making a comeback! This is the Democrats gift to the country. I've been so sick of the negativity, doom and gloom insisted upon by the Republicans. They're eating the dogs and cats in their spare time.

 I'm an unabashed liberal minded Democrat. Yet, I'm curious as to what conclusions people who aren't so liberal minded are thinking about our current state of politics. One night in the summer I was talking to our plumber, who is also a friend, and decided to ask him what he was thinking about the new political scene. We were sitting on our deck having a drink when the subject of politics came up and we talked for awhile about the disaster, especially for women, the Trump administration ushered in. Now the newish approach of the Trump camp is the Doom and Gloom tour across the country. In their rallies Trump and his VP pick, JD Vance, are touting in one disparaging comment after another, about the lousy state of our country. I ventured to ask my friend, what he thought about Kamala Harris and her policies. His only comment was "she laughs too much." He had no problem with her policies, but she laughs too much. To him she seemed "not presidential enough." Let's see: she's not a felon, she's and ex prosecutor, she's all for women's rights to privacy with their bodies, she's joyful and she picked Mr. Lovable: Tim Walz. He's just not sure he'll vote for her because she laughs too much? I thought this was sad but also amusing. I didn't challenge him but I did chuckle.

There are so many things most days that make me laugh. As far as I'm concerned, a day without laughter is a wasted day. Even when one is anxious, sad or grieving, it's important, and sometimes life saving, to at least try to be amused each day by something in your life.

spider balanced on his head

Here's small example, the picture (look closely) is of a spider balanced on his head. Granted it's not that funny it's just a little amusing actually. But still, I'm always on the lookout for something amusing. Try it, it's a dandy way to have more fun in your life. I always gave that "be aware and amused" as an assignment to every client I saw. Then I requested them to "report  the amusement back to me." 

I had one client tell me that she "really had no sense of humor." However at our next session she came in smiling saying, "I found myself laughing as I was gardening. There were these enormous bumble bees attempting to get pollen from the teensy flowers in the rosemary bush. They'd fall backwards to the ground because of their weight but they'd get up and do it again."  Indeed she did have a sense of humor. 

one of the sweet couples at the party 

The absolute best amusement and delight I've had recently was volunteering for our community's "Book or Treat" Halloween party for the little kids. I went as a cowgirl and there were so many darling little ones in their costumes gathering books, while I served cider. Big smiles everywhere you looked and definitely delighted parents enjoying the afternoon. I came home and told my husband about the funny and dear children's costumes. We all came to revel in the party. Miles of amusement!

Keep a goal to be amused every day. Look for the smile, the chuckle or the blessing of a good old fashioned belly laugh.

Thanks for reading!

be sure to vote for hope

susansmagicfeather 2024 Susan R. Grout