Life's Little Instructions

Sing in the shower
Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated
Watch a sunrise at least once a year
Leave the toilet seat in the down position
Never refuse homemade brownies
Strive for excellence, not perfection
Plant a tree on your birthday
Learn 3 clean jokes

Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank full
Compliment 3 people every day
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them
Leave everything a little better than you found it
Keep it simple
Thing big thoughts but relish small pleasures
Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know

Floss your teeth
Ask for a raise when you feel you've earned it
Be forgiving of yourself and others
Overtip breakfast waitresses
Say "thank you" a lot
Say "please" a lot
Avoid negative people
Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards

Wear polished shoes
Remember other people's birthdays
Commit yourself to constant improvement
Carry jumper cables in your trunk
Have a firm handshake
Send lots of Valentine cards. Sign them, "Someone who thinks you're terrific."
Look people in the eye
Be the first to say, "Hello"

Use the good silver
Return all things you borrow
Make new friends but cherish the old ones
Keep secrets
Sing in a choir
Plant flowers every spring
Have a dog
Always accept an outstretched hand

Stop blaming others
Take responsibility for every area of your life
Wave at kids on school buses
Be there when people need you
Feed a stranger's expired parking meter
Don't expect life to be fair
Never underestimate the power of love

Drink champagne for no reason at all
Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation
Don't be afraid to say, "I made a mistake"
Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know"
Compliment even small improvements
Keep your promises (no matter what)
Marry only for love
Rekindle old friendships
Count your blessings
Call your mother

~H.J. Brown, Jr.

Psych Series #7

Psych Series #7: Addiction - Drama

Do you find yourself drawn to crises, panic, worry? Do you find yourself getting caught up in other people's drama over and over? Do you ever feel like you need to rescue others involved in dramatic situations? You may be addicted to drama.

We most often hear about addiction when talking about substances such as alcohol or illicit drugs. Other common addictions include gambling, sex, work, exercise, or eating disorders. Not as commonly discussed is the "high" some people get from being involved in dramatic situations. That's right, people can be addicted to just about anything, even drama!

What is addiction or addictive behavior?
"Any activity, substance, or behavior that has become the major focus of a person's life to the exclusion of other activities, or that has begun to harm the individual or others physically, mentally, or socially is considered an addictive behavior."

Addictive behaviors often bring about a sense of euphoria and may produce beta-endorphins, giving a person that sense of "high". A person involved in addictive behaviors may actually develop an addiction to his or her own brain chemicals.

So, how can you tell if a behavior is just a bad habit or an addiction? Here are some common characteristics of addictive behaviors:

• Obsession (constantly thinking about) with an object, activity, or substance.
• Engaging in the behavior even when it causes harm
• Compulsively engaging in the activity or behavior
• Withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of the activity (irritability, craving, restlessness, or depression).
• Loss of control over when, how long, or how much he/she will continue the behavior.
• Denial that problems are resulting from he/her engagement in the behavior.
• Hiding the behavior from family and close friends
• "Blackouts" while engaging in behavior
• Depression
• Low self esteem
• Anxiety if he/she does not feel in control of his/her environment
• Family history of psychological or physical abuse

Now that we have defined the general characteristics of addictive behaviors...let's look specifically at addiction to drama!

Signs & Symptoms

• Experiencing one crisis or challenging situation after another, year after year
• Overreacting to stressful situations - panic, worry, anger
• Feeling powerless over life circumstances
• Blaming others/ not taking responsibility for his/her own life choices
• Retelling a story over and over to anyone who will listen
• Feeling the need to take care of or "rescue" others in dramatic situations
• Excessively gossiping about others' misfortunes

Why do people create drama? With any unhealthy behavior, there is a payoff. This is the sense of "high" previously noted. Common payoffs from creating drama include a sense of love, attention, safety, and security. Yet, these payoffs are often fleeting and short-lived. Once the drama stops, those feelings decrease. This promotes the vicious cycle of creating more and more drama to sustain that overall sense of well-being.

Tired of the cycle? Ready to make some healthy changes? Well, here are some ways to change your beliefs and behaviors to develop a healthier way to gain love, attention, safety & security. First, try to identify what the underlying need is....insight into what drives the behavior will help identify ways to change that behavior pattern. Other options include:

• Remember your strengths and skills
• Focus on solutions, not the problem
• Breathe and process your emotions instead of overreacting
• Take responsibility for your actions instead of blaming others
• Look for lessons/gifts in each situation
• Avoid retelling a story over and over again
• Find ways to keep a positive attitude during difficult times
• Move beyond the "victim" mentality
• Live in the present, let go of the past
• Enjoy the richness of peace and stillness
• Participate in calming mind/body practices such as yoga
• Avoid gossiping
• Stay out of others' business

Hope this helps you drama kings and queens out there to take a new approach to getting your needs met!

Peace, Love, and Happiness!

Bringing Me Down

Everyday, always the same
I hear your name and it cuts through me like a chainsaw
And I fall back into that simple fool that you once knew

And just as soon as I let you back in
Seems I'm reminded of all of this again

I can't believe that I let you walk all over me
And I can't believe that you had such a hold on me
Bringing me down, you're bringing me down
You're bringing me down

How much more will it take until I break and I drive that stake
Right into that thing that you call your heart
Hell it's fallen apart and I don't think it worked right from the start

Just as soon as I let you back in
Seems I'm reminded of all of this again

I can't believe that I let you walk all over me
And I can't believe that you had such a hold on me
Bringing me down, you're bringing me down

You're bringing me down, down, down
Bringing me down, you're bringing me down
You're bringing me down, down, down

Bringin' me down, bringin' me down
Bringin' me down, bringin' me down

I can't believe that I let you walk all over me
And I can't believe that you had such a hold on me

And I can't believe that I let you walk all over me
And I can't believe that you're still bringing me, bringing me down

You're bringing me, bringin' me down
Bringin' me down, bringin' me down!

~ Drowning Pool

Funnies from the Sarcastic

Ah, some refreshing sarcasm from my favorite Someecards! Thanks to B.R. for introducing me to the marvelous cache of sarcastic fodder!

Peace, Love, Happiness, and Humor!