This next challenge has taken me a while to write; because I
think it's impossible. I have a few other ideas up my sleeve but as these
involved planning, expense and a house mate in an agreeable mood, I have been
delaying them. Instead, for some barmy reason I haven't quite reached the
bottom off, I have decided on this one: Thinking positively for 7 days.
You might not think it is that hard, I didn't think it would
be. Generally, I'm quite a positive person. I have my strops and sulks but
overall I prefer being optimistic. So I tried it for a day to see what
happened...I've never realised how many things annoy me until I couldn't
complain about them out loud. Architects that believe you should just know that
the meeting's time, location and day has changed and who get angry when you
explain your telepathic energies have been running low this morning. People who
amble on their way to work while you bob and dance around behind them, other
secretaries who are either so rude or lazy that they get bored saying your two
syllable name and drift off half-way and not being able to find the sodding lid
to your pen! It makes me want to purchase an irritatingly expensive hot
chocolate and lock myself in the bathroom and sleep, or at least try to but the
doors open the wrong way so you get jammed between the toilet and the wall and
the horrible glaring, flickering lights make you think you're being attached by
an aggressive but silent bluebottle. See? For a happy, sunny, shiny person this
would be a challenge and as I'm only happy and sunny occasionally and very
rarely shiny, it's going to be a woolly mammoth of a task.
Why then? Well, for one thing, I think this was suggested to
stop me complaining as much. I hate it when other people wine and complain at
me so I guess that's a pot, kettle and black sort of reason. Also, according to
the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/positive-thinking/SR00009
thinking positively can:
Increase life span
Lower rates of depression
Lower levels of distress
Greater resistance to the common cold
Better psychological and physical well-being
Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
And who wouldn't want that? I have a friend who is always in
a good mood and I find it impossible to be in a bad mood around her. Isn't that
such a nice thing to say about someone? It would be lovely if people said that
about me instead of "oh dear, here she comes, she looks angry, maybe she
got wedged in the bathroom again." Another friend of mine has introduced
me to the phrase "1st world problems" which you're supposed to say
with your eyes closed, a slight shake of your head and a sort of air-sweeping
hand action, as if to cleanse yourself of these worries that don't involve
starvation, disease and cruelty. It's a good phrase and makes a lot of sense
and I feel will help me with my challenge.
Of course this might actually be impossible. My existence in
the western world might have made complaining an integral part of my genetic
make-up. Or it could go viral - I could come out of this so happy, shiny and
new that I annoy everyone else so much that they have to take on the positive
thinking challenge just to cope with me and eventually this spreads until the
whole country is an army of happiness - psychiatrists would go out of business!
...or I continue complaining as usual but only in my head,
until it explodes out of me in one mass attack of bitterness where I accuse
everyone and anyone of stealing my pen lids.
Keep an eye on the news, there will either be reports of
tree hugging and singing in Battersea Park or that the whole area has been
roped off due to the crazy, ranting maniac contained in one of the buildings.
Only time can tell.
