We’ve all heard that in many situations, a positive attitude in a given situation is, “half the battle”. While there may certainly be a sliver of truth to that statement, it can’t hold a candle to skill, experience, training, medical expertise and above all, dumb luck.
How else do we explain that ten people are diagnosed with the same affliction. They all receive identical courses of treatment. Five of them get better, two of them stay the same, and three of them, well, die. Regardless of how positive they are.
Others present the power of positive thinking and thrust it upon us whether we like it or not…
“Oh Annie, we discovered a small lump on Harry’s right testicle last week. He’s getting it checked out tomorrow”.
“Oh Madge, try not to worry. I’m sure it’s nothing to be alarmed about”.
Three months later, Annie is in the viewing line at Harry’s memorial service. Shouldn’t Madge have some right to exact retribution?
“So, Doctor Annie, another accurate diagnosis I see…just like the time you diagnosed Fluffy two weeks before we had to put him down…you’re a regular Ben Casey”. Now see, that line works much better if you’re not using a medical reference from 1960’s television. I suppose I should have said Doctor Oz, but, well, that just sounds stupid.
Okay, I get it. people say things to try and make you feel better, but really, they want to try and make themselves feel better. Like after they come to visit a friend who’s going through her second divorce. Of course they just want to say, “It’s such a shame that you’ll probably be alone for the rest of your life dear…chin up”. Instead they spew out the rhetoric…”You know, Connie, this wasn’t meant to be…it only means the right person is still out there, waiting for you”. And as she walks away, Connie is muttering beneath her breath, “I hope you contract some sort of irritating anal rash”.
Are we better off providing comfort in reasonable doses? Like at the receiving line at the wedding? “Well you two, I certainly hope this thing lasts, or I’ve just dropped $250 down the drain. What’s my time period for a refund if the groom runs off with the Maid of Honor?”
Is it any wonder, in the day and age that we live in, that the Power of Positive Thinking has taken a bit of a hit? President Tang-Head, Wild Fires, Mass Shootings, The Catholic Church Crisis, the list goes on and on. Do you suppose nowadays, when someone walks into the confessional at the Catholic Church, it should be that the dark screen is turned the other way around and the priest should be the ones making the confession? Or at the least, after hearing the confession of the congregation, the priest should respond with, “Don’t worry, I’m sure everything will be okay”. And close with, “You didn’t see my name in the paper, did you?”
When I was little, and I was having a particularly bad day, my Mom would always tell me, just before she tucked me in, ” Get a good night’s sleep darling; things will look better in the morning”. And you know what, eight out of ten mornings, she was right. But I clearly remember on two of those mornings I walked off to school, and on one occasion came home beaten and bloodied and on the other Mary Jane Orfanelli broke my heart. Mom just as well may have said, “Well, go to sleep my darling, things could be better in the morning…or, maybe not, we’ll see…by the way, we’re out of Frankenberries and Eggos”.
That’s the real problem here. Well wishes and good intentions do not come with any sort of guarantee. It’s just a temporary stay of execution for the well wisher to make them feel a little more comfortable. Until the boom gets lowered…upon YOU.
I’ve always thought that’s why a lot of people go into the funeral business. They don’t have to peddle any well wishing. The worst has already happened. There’s no false hope left to dispense. The best they have to offer is, “Ma’am, I hope his life insurance policy didn’t expire”.
As tomorrow is Thanksgiving and today is grandson Milo’s 6th birthday, I should say we have very much to be thankful for. And let’s not forget Matt’s Grandpa Mark turns 103 today. I’m sure he has benefited from years and years of positive thinking and well wishing. Or just good genes.
To the four of you out there reading this, no matter what issue is troubling you today, I’m sure it will be alright. Try not to worry. Tomorrow will be a much brighter day filled with hope.
Trapped in a Happy Life 