Twelve Steps & More

The unsolicited giving of  self-help messages seems to have increased lately, and as Martha S  likes to say, "that's a good thing."

Sometimes we need reminders as we all have bad days - or sometimes a sequence of same.

I recently read a survey of people asking, "If you could change the world what would you do?"

Some of the replies were interesting.

My favorite response was, "First I'd like to figure out how to remove those !@#$%^  thick plastic clam shell wrappers that all the manufacturers seem enthralled with. Then I'd love to come up with a cure for world hunger."

See, we all need priorities.

I agree. It's not that we don't care about the really serious issues featured on the editorial pages. It's just that it's the day-to-day frustrations that can ruin it for all of us - if we let them.

My daughter Beth sent along a self- help guideline thing entitled "12 steps" that may aid our curative process:

1.   If it feels wrong, don't do it.
2.   Say "exactly" what you mean.
3.   Don't be a people pleaser.
4.   Trust your instincts.
5.   Never speak bad about yourself.
6.   Never give up on your dreams.
7.   Don't be afraid to say "NO."
8.   Don't be afraid to say "YES."
9.   Be KIND to yourself.
10. Let go of what you can't control.
11. Stay away from drama and negativity.
12. LOVE.

Number 10 sort of reminds me of the Serenity Prayer that has often been a real lifesaver for me.

So, if I'm reading the 12 steps correctly , the next time you get one of those "clam shell" wrappings - feel free to take a chainsaw to it.

Then place all the pieces and your receipt neatly in your Wal-Mart bag and return it. Explain what happened. I'm sure they'll give you back your money -  and may even throw in a new blade.

We've all been there.