4 Truths Getting me Through Twenty-Six

Four Truths for Four Months

№1: It’s seldom as bad as it seems

Unknowingly, I mentally forecast for the worst possible scenarios. I map out a narrative of how it will be, how hard it will hurt, how much I’ll sleep in or slump around because of it — whatever it is —in thinking that I’m doing myself a favor preparing for the most disastrous storm that tends to take shape as a dainty rain shower followed by overcast skies.

I’ve wasted so much time and energy expecting the worst, or the toughest, or the most debilitating thing happen instead of freeing up some space in my mind with the imagining on it simply not being that bad.

№2: People really do treat you how they feel about themselves

It’s taken me some time to believe that 90% of behavior towards my person has absolutely nothing to do with me. A confounding pill to swallow because I consider myself the protagonist in my relationships with others, because from my point of view I am. I make my presence the reason and plot-moving device to explain their behavior when in reality I’m a supporting cast member to them or a recurring guest to others and the plot contributing to their behavior is larger and more nuanced than I can imagine.