Dramas In Real Life
I am not sure if it’s still the case but Readers Digest magazine used to have a section called “Drama In Real Life” back in the day.
As a teenager, this was the first thing I would read before anything else.
This could have been a suitable tagline:
“Welcome to Drama In Real Life, where unbelievable true stories of love, loss, survival, and incredible coincidences come together to inform, entertain, and inspire.”
The magazine thrilled and educated me for years.
Regrettably, this blurry picture is the best I could find of the cover of a 1980’s edition:
But the drama doesn’t end there.
There’s another kind of drama that’s all too common in our homes, workplaces, and society.
The kind that’s often fueled by the self, gossip, and social media.
A real-life version of a juicy reality TV show like ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ for example.
I’ve always assumed that people engage in dramatizing out of boredom, their lives having become dull and their daily routines reduced to meaninglessness.
According to psychologist Dr. Jennifer Kromberg though, these “drama queens and kings” crave attention and validation.
Some struggle to regulate their emotions, while others learned dramatic behavior from their upbringing.
Let’s take it a notch further.
Take our beloved politicians, from whichever part of the planet they may be.
From the hallowed chambers of august houses to the grimy reality of everyday street, their apalling behavior in the media is a true testament to this.
I’ll give them one thing though — they are consistent drama kings and queens.
All of this dramatization only leads to polarization, misinformation, and a breakdown in trust among the people.
One would ask why?
Unless of course that was their intention all along.
I’ve got a piece of advice for such types:
It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of political theatrics, and the endless stream of social media gossip.
Perhaps it’s time to take a step back and embrace a more authentic, meaningful way of living.
Which is why I was pleasantly surprised by this Eid Mubarak ad in Malaysia, where I live.
Loosely translated as “Track of Memories”, it hints of philosophy, nostalgia, and longing entwined in the ever-changing passage of time.
Maybe if there is something that needs to be said, it should be along these lines.
Enough of the dramas and the politics, whether in our homes or elsewhere.
Compared to these advertisments that speak to the heart, some of the conglatutory mesages from leaders of other religions sounded hollow, repetitive and boring.
Maybe our leaders should take a leaf out the marketers’ books!
They could learn a thing or two.
I am going to remind myself to use this prayer whenever push comes to shove.
But the original prayer evokes of the possibility of a wonderful response from us:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
The Serenity Prayer was written by religious scholar Reinhold Niebuhr around 1932 and has been modified and adapted for various purposes, including as a mantra for Alcoholic Anonymous and other 12-step programs.
Let’s cut to the chase.
All that I’ve ranted out above has been centred on the “other”.
Now, taking a step in the other direction, raises a question:
“What can I do about it?”
Taking a leaf from the 12 steps programs, maybe these are 5 items that could be on your checklist:
- Avoid engaging with the drama. Walk away.
- Set clear boundaries.
- Stay positive by saying you like helpful talks.
- Change the subject when necessary.
- Find healthy ways to stay engaged with others.
Next Steps
If for any reason, you believe that either you or someone else needs more help, consider these alternatives below.
Some of them might seem trivial like this one but they have proven testimonies to show:
Magnetic Rings Fidget For Anxiety Relief Therapy
Relaxing Aromatherapy Essential Oils
Adult Stress Reliever Calming Coloring Books
I like this:
Then there the other options.
For those who prefer to read:
- Self-help books on emotional intelligence and conflict resolution.
- Online courses on dealing with difficult people and communication.
- Pomodoro technique therapeutic timers.
and,
- Supplements and herbal remedies.
Hit me up if you would like more information on any of the above items.
I will try my best to help.
Till next time,
Take care of yourselves and all that you hold dear.
Jude
Leaving you with this thought:
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