What’s Your Problem?

Has anyone ever asked you that? I remember my grandpa Jack yelling that at my grandma Esther one time. Her answer, as I recall, was something along the line of, “YOU!” Their relationship was fragile at best.

Maybe you have started out your day very upbeat and happy. Suddenly – sometimes very suddenly – everything changes to the proverbial going to hell in a hand basket. Of course, everything is subjective and the outcome largely based on our attitude.

Suppose you get a flat tire on the way to work. One driver might just change the tire. Another person might become totally unglued over a flat tire, allowing it to ruin their day and outlook. Our upset friend with the flat starts grousing around looking thoroughly miserable or cranky. That’s when we hear, “What’s your problem?”

Does that mean the person who freaks out over seemingly little things is not well-equipped to handle stress? Perhaps … perhaps not. It could be avoidance, an unwillingness to handle a stressful situation.

Often we aren’t angry or upset for the reasons we say we are; if that’s the case then we’re most likely still ticked off about something in the past. In other words, it’s not really the flat tire that causes the drama. The reason our drama queen is really having a meltdown is that he thinks he can’t afford another bill, is worried about being late for work or feeling guilty that he didn’t avoid the object that caused the puncture.

A great deal of grief results from not taking cares of issues as they arise, delaying the process of addressing the problem or even burying them completely. It’s like rotten potatoes at the bottom of the bin; sooner or later the stench is going to force you to at least open a window.

We must decide individually when and how to deal with those areas of our lives which will ultimately require our attention. I would propose that now or sooner is better than never or later in most cases. Sometimes a little distance is a good or necessary decision.

But, our hurts, anger and resentments have the habit of fermenting, not like a fine wine, but much like rotten potatoes. I’m not saying we need to clean out the recesses of our minds today in one fell swoop. But … have you ever had to clean out rotten, smelly and squishy potatoes from the bottom of the bin? The longer we wait the worse it gets. Jus’ sayin’.

In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,

Terry