As a cancer patient, I want to hamstring people telling me to "think positive" and "be thankful" or I'll make myself sicker. (Never mind the ones who tell me the chemo will kill me and that my flu vaccine was made from aborted babies.)
So I enjoyed this I'm the car the other day--a nice discussion about gratitude without all the relentless insistence that we become Little Mary Sunshine or we will DIE.
Raber and I are starting a gratitude jar with Advent. We'll invite visitors to add their two cents. Then we'll open up all the slips on Christmas morning.
Yeah, it seems like blaming the victim to tell people their problems are created by their attitudes. I'm a pretty negative person but I think it's my circumstances that have caused that, not the other way around.
I think I'm just realistic and practical, and I don't plan anything more than three months in advance of my quarterly blood work.
Modern science is not going to rush to find a cure for a cancer that only 20,000 Americans have, most of them women over 50, despite the fact that I see these as some of my most interesting years.
I enjoyed Barbara Ehrenreich's "Brightsided," a look at how "positive thinking" can be pernicious for the reasons you suggest, as well as infantilizing.
Plus there's no scientific data that shows this makes any difference to lifespan.
Highever, I find that my mordant sense of humor freaks people out, and I don't want to alienate friends. So I keep it under wraps. In fact, most people who know me, don't know I'm sick. Except on here, but I don't have to deal with anyone n here in real life.
Today I am grateful that it is 50 and the sun is out! I will make a pretend effort to rake up some leaves or something if I can get these stupid cats to move off me.
Thanksgiving day was 73 here. Since the previous two years the day was miserable and icy, I was enjoying it. The grandkids were in fine form. They got to play outside. One of them found a very dead possum under the deck. That was cause for much conversation. The two younger ones banged around on the piano and stressed out the cats. But it was all good. I wish they lived closer.
Pianos are great when you have small children. A full-size piano will accommodate two children. They will sit in one place for hours and make enough noise so that you know where they are, but, unlike an accordion or a guitar, they can't hit each other with it. I suggest putting a brick on the soft pedal, though, to muffle the noise and reduce the ringing in your ears after they leave.
Back in the 40s here with low clouds looking like they will spit snow any moment. I went to Pets Plus for cat food, and ended up playing with kittens, then going to the coffee shop and leaving a big tip (many students, current and past, work there).
Raber stayed at home in a tryptophan stupor in front of a football doubleheader that he claims will be over by 7, but more like 9.
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, Crystal!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, folks.
ReplyDeleteThis should be an annual viewing:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf3mgmEdfwg
WKRP "As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly"
I just saw this: the real story behind this episode:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9Oz-MlZ9ew
I remember that episode :)
DeleteAs a cancer patient, I want to hamstring people telling me to "think positive" and "be thankful" or I'll make myself sicker. (Never mind the ones who tell me the chemo will kill me and that my flu vaccine was made from aborted babies.)
ReplyDeleteSo I enjoyed this I'm the car the other day--a nice discussion about gratitude without all the relentless insistence that we become Little Mary Sunshine or we will DIE.
Raber and I are starting a gratitude jar with Advent. We'll invite visitors to add their two cents. Then we'll open up all the slips on Christmas morning.
https://the1a.org/shows/2017-11-20/what-are-you-thankful-for
I just learned a wonderful expression:
DeleteGratitude, not attitude.
Your Little Mary Sunshine Hat is in the mail, Jim!
DeleteYeah, it seems like blaming the victim to tell people their problems are created by their attitudes. I'm a pretty negative person but I think it's my circumstances that have caused that, not the other way around.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm just realistic and practical, and I don't plan anything more than three months in advance of my quarterly blood work.
DeleteModern science is not going to rush to find a cure for a cancer that only 20,000 Americans have, most of them women over 50, despite the fact that I see these as some of my most interesting years.
I enjoyed Barbara Ehrenreich's "Brightsided," a look at how "positive thinking" can be pernicious for the reasons you suggest, as well as infantilizing.
Plus there's no scientific data that shows this makes any difference to lifespan.
Highever, I find that my mordant sense of humor freaks people out, and I don't want to alienate friends. So I keep it under wraps. In fact, most people who know me, don't know I'm sick. Except on here, but I don't have to deal with anyone n here in real life.
Today I am grateful that it is 50 and the sun is out! I will make a pretend effort to rake up some leaves or something if I can get these stupid cats to move off me.
Cats :) Today here it's 68 F and sunny. Many cats, many leaves.
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving day was 73 here. Since the previous two years the day was miserable and icy, I was enjoying it. The grandkids were in fine form. They got to play outside. One of them found a very dead possum under the deck. That was cause for much conversation. The two younger ones banged around on the piano and stressed out the cats. But it was all good. I wish they lived closer.
DeletePianos are great when you have small children. A full-size piano will accommodate two children. They will sit in one place for hours and make enough noise so that you know where they are, but, unlike an accordion or a guitar, they can't hit each other with it. I suggest putting a brick on the soft pedal, though, to muffle the noise and reduce the ringing in your ears after they leave.
DeleteBack in the 40s here with low clouds looking like they will spit snow any moment. I went to Pets Plus for cat food, and ended up playing with kittens, then going to the coffee shop and leaving a big tip (many students, current and past, work there).
Raber stayed at home in a tryptophan stupor in front of a football doubleheader that he claims will be over by 7, but more like 9.
73 sounds nice! There have been a lot of dead possums found here over the years. They don't seem very durable.
ReplyDelete