My friend Lisa recently shared with me that during the early days of her career, while working in the public relations department of ABC-TV, she kept a hand written sign on her desk that said, ‘2000 years from now when they dig us all up…’ She said it helped her put things in perspective, say, when a copy editor decided to make changes to her brilliant, hard-worked piece.
‘2000 years from now when they dig us all up…’ If ever there were a phrase with the power to change lives, this is it. In only a few days, it has already brought me a great deal of solace. It’s even better than what I usually tell myself when the fur starts to fly. Phrases like ‘it’s all an illusion’ don’t seem to have the same pithy ring as this ‘2000 years from now’ thing. It seems to get right to the heart of the matter. I am even thinking of making a sign to wear around my neck to serve as a constant reminder.
Not that I need it so much anymore, for most things that is. The older I get, the more I try to tap into my inner Zen. I can wait calmly listening to incessant repetitions of “your call is important to us.” I can forgo firing off obscenities at a driver who has just cut in front of me. I can graciously forgive the waiter who forgets all about my table and, heaven forbid, my hunger. Even ending up on the torturous front row of the movie theater without due notice no longer sends me into even a minor tailspin.
‘2000 years from now when they dig us all up…’ Can you see how helpful this little phrase could be? From little Dylan’s “D” in math to gifted Gabe’s “No” from Yale. From the computer’s mega crash to the ten pound gain in just one week. Pfff! As we say in the Garden State, fuggetaboutit.
OK, so much for the small stuff, those irritating little annoyances of the day to day. What about dem big potatoes? The lost jobs, the disappearing banks, the receding 401s, the homeowners with no homes. There seems to be a whole lot to really be upset about these days. Don’t know about you, but many a morning I wake up with a great big knot inside, knowing I have to figure out how I can untangle it before starting my day. Anyone who’s paying attention knows something big is going on, and personally, I’m hoping I can muster up whatever it takes to get through it.
Courage? Faith? Determination? Grit? The question is “have I got enough of what I need to see me through?” Who knows? But as someone who’s a believer in self-help from way back, I’m up for trying just about anything. I welcome whatever tools show up. To add to my growing arsenal of handy-dandy de-stressors, which includes turning off the TV, sitting quietly, a friend’s shoulder, deep breaths, a long walk, a glass(es) of wine, dancing barefoot to Jerry Lee Lewis and now this – ‘2000 years from now …’ I’m already feeling better.
Sixties Chick 
February 26, 2009 at 8:12 pm |
That too will pass…
March 4, 2009 at 2:12 am |
This came at the perfect time. State assessments are days away. A stressful time for a principal whose school has no history… (yet). The stupid tests have been at the back (and front) of my mind ever since I got the appointment, nearly two years ago. Before the foundation of the school was even down.
But this “2000 years from now” thing…it’s the perfect answer. I will make a sign and put it on my office door during the two weeks of testing where everyone will see it. Ought to put everything is perspective.
Thanks for sharing!