As
I traipse through the course of any day around people, I overhear so many listing the pains that they are experiencing. Sometimes, those pains
are nearly crippling, and sometimes, beyond a doubt, they come from
people who merely need attention—any kind of attention. Much confusion surrounds the cause-and-effect: A
blonde, who had just recently dyed her hair brown, went to the hospital
because her whole body hurt. She told the doctor that wherever she
touched herself it hurt. The doctor told her to demonstrate.
She touched her nose and it hurt. She touched her stomach and it
hurt. She touched her back and it hurt.The doctor studied for a while, grabbed her hand, then asked her if she was a blonde, and she confessed, yes.
"Look here, Lady, your finger is broken!" . . .
I apologize for the “blonde” nonsense, but we humans often just don't quite “get it.” Pain---real pain---is never humorous, but “imagined” or “self-enhanced” pain actually is comical. Certainly this “manufactured” pain is sadly demoralizing and frustrating to those who have to listen while others discuss and describe it over and over again.
I apologize for the “blonde” nonsense, but we humans often just don't quite “get it.” Pain---real pain---is never humorous, but “imagined” or “self-enhanced” pain actually is comical. Certainly this “manufactured” pain is sadly demoralizing and frustrating to those who have to listen while others discuss and describe it over and over again.
Yep,
I too am guilty of moaning and groaning about my aches and pains.
But, much true pain does abound all around us. One website (not sure
how valid) suggests that one person commits suicide every 14 minutes
in the U.S. each day. If true, think of the brokenness in that!
Forlorn—lonely—brokenness. Gut-churning emptiness! Brokenness
compared to my moaning---makes me feel ashamed in some deep-down-inside way. Some hard facts: suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24; more teenagers die from suicide than cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and lung disease---combined. Combined!
So . . . I don't know . . . at least, quit moaning and groaning about your aches and pains (quit sharing them with the whole world) and start listening for and seeing the real brokenness around you. Start looking "outward" and quit focusing on yourself so much. I know: Speak to yourself, clown! (Hey, I'm willing to claim my guilt.)
It is so important to be aware of what's going on around us. Yet, much of our activity---from television to cell phones---tends to focus us inward onto them. I'm not going to decry the faults of these devices; I truly enjoy them. But, somehow, we simply must force ourselves always to be aware of the people around us and discern their circumstances and needs. We must wade our way through the typical complaining and peg the true brokenness . . . and reach out to help.
We must.
So . . . I don't know . . . at least, quit moaning and groaning about your aches and pains (quit sharing them with the whole world) and start listening for and seeing the real brokenness around you. Start looking "outward" and quit focusing on yourself so much. I know: Speak to yourself, clown! (Hey, I'm willing to claim my guilt.)
It is so important to be aware of what's going on around us. Yet, much of our activity---from television to cell phones---tends to focus us inward onto them. I'm not going to decry the faults of these devices; I truly enjoy them. But, somehow, we simply must force ourselves always to be aware of the people around us and discern their circumstances and needs. We must wade our way through the typical complaining and peg the true brokenness . . . and reach out to help.
We must.
As I attended the funeral of my dear friend, Bert LaPlante, yesterday I heard example after example of how to live this life you describe. Bert focused her energies outward, always seeking ways in which to help others. She gives me inspiration to do better and to be better.
ReplyDeleteSelf-focus requires us to do absolutely nothing.
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