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COMPOUND EFFECT
Friday Oct. 12, 2018
The ‘what happened after what happened happened’, after kneejerk caused kneejerk?
Unintended consequence of the unintended consequence.
Things happen, people say things, we observe situations, react and display feelings about ‘that thing’ or ‘that statement’ – often without regard to cause of it or taking time to figure out whether that message we are reacting to was correctly transmitted, without regard to the intent of its originator, without time to think or rest on those thoughts overnight. Or even over a cup of coffee.
Acting, reacting, doing – is not always rational, not always in our best interests and rarely ‘what others want’. I think this tendency GROWS with age rather than mellowing. While I’ve found my tolerance for things that don’t matter has improved – yes I (and I hope we all do) get better at ignoring that, but there is an inverse reaction to BS and those passive-aggressive types whose message and method make us want to choke the living.
OK, you know what I mean.
I had one of those recently – someone whose path crosses mine often. For now I’ve decided to avoid those path-crossings. That person who will be in their place in that role only a few months longer, so I’ll avoid them for a few months until they are replaced. I don’t need or want that ongoing aggravation.
Yes, I could try to change that person. In decades past I would have tried, but given the inability we all have to change the unwilling, I’ll direct my energies elsewhere.
And, if appears, I’ve freed up some time on my calendar as a result.
Ah, the mathematics of compounding dis-interest!
Reader feedback:
TANK FULL
Yes, gratitude is so important and I fear we do not express it even when we feel it. I told my new doctor today that, after our first meeting, I was thrilled to have her as my GP. Her response surprised me. She thanked me and said that patients know how to complain but that they usually do not express thanks. I know this will be a beautiful relationship going forward. And I want to thank you for writing this and many of the other musings that help me review life as it happens, CB, Cobourg, ON
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