Despite my tendency toward ascerbic humor and wise-assedness – there has always been a part of me that is trusting and guileless (long may she live). So, it is always a suprise when life bitch slaps me in the face and screams, “Open your eyes, you idiot!”
Oh no, I don’t want to look, there, I think. Please, just go away and leave me to my bubble. It’s so nice and insulated here, can’t you just please leave me alone?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Sometimes, my big bubble is burst on a daily basis and sometimes in a big and most alarming way. A way so obvious and looming that I simply cannot live in the State of Denial any longer. (And really, have you been to the State of Denial? It’s gorgeous, peaceful, has very low taxes and crime rates and is very affordable.)
But…as usual, I digress…
Recently, I’ve had a couple of big bubble bursts (the details of which aren’t neccesary to enumerate here) and a really surprising thing happened: It didn’t destroy my world. I didn’t have to retire to my bed with the woe-is-me-flu and a bottle of Advil. In truth, I’m taking it all pretty calmly .
I don’t know how, where or when, but I’ve come to see that one person, event or even tragedy does not bring my world to a heart-stopping end. No. It doesn’t. It can sure muck up the works sometimes but I’ve got plenty of 409, so clean up isn’t that hard to accomplish.
And while it might be a pain in the ass or worse, a pain in the heart, I know that, this too shall pass.
Maybe I’ve just realized that every one of us have our own special brand of hell – and it’s the thing that binds us, rather than separates us. That my pain is not more special than others’, nor is misery my exclusive real estate but rather a commune in which we all have a timeshare.
A surprise, shock and horror to the little bubble does suck, but it only destroys you if you let it. Don’t let it.
Anita Rodgers Mystery Writer 
Annie,
I suppose success in life is borne of one’s attitude. After all, life is 10% what happens and 90% how you choose to react to it.
– JOS
Hey JOS,
Well, I am trying to practice an attitude of gratitude of late but I have to say, it sure ain’t easy. Still, we trudge on, don’t we? 🙂
Annie
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I like JOS’ reply.I have to remember that when my bubble gets attacked. Well, you’ve got a good attitude Annie, one I am trying to emulate this week. Thank you for the reminder.
“And while it might be a pain in the ass or worse, a pain in the heart, I know that, this too shall pass.”
Words to live by. I think I’ll put them on my fridge.
Oh Joan, I love you, honey. But man, your poor fridge is getting crowded, eh? 😉
Annie
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Good for you, A. It’s good to tell the bubble-busters “screw you” once in awhile.
Yeah, Jess! You tell ’em! You go, girl! Yeah! High five! You’re such a little toughie…thank, God. 🙂
Annie xo
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God you’re wise…
Great post Annie.
No…just battleworn and scarred. 😉
A
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Great perspective, I think. Negative things can only affect you as much as you let them.
The real challenge is remembering that when the going gets rough.
And you handle it nicely! 🙂
Hey Ramblin’
You’re right, that is the challenge, remembering it when things are tough. It’s easier though, if you try to keep your inner child blooming, yes?
🙂 Annie
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I’m sorry your bubble got busted again (that happens to me a lot too), but I’m so glad you are learning that it doesn’t have to be a lifestopper. You have a great attitude and we all could stand to be more like that. Everyone is a work in progress after all.
Hey Teens!
Yeah, those dang bubbles sure are fragile, aren’t they? Not sure I’m any kind of role model though – one day at time, eh? And thank God, I’m a work in progress, otherwise I’d be scared. 😉
Annie
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Welcome to the State Of Denial! I are the Governor. 😆
Heckfire, woman – why din’t ya say so? I finally have an ‘in’ with a government official. 😆
Annie
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my bubble has been burst so many times, i wonder why i still have one and yet yup there it is … 🙂
LOL D,
Maybe we just like the pretty colors the bubbles make in the afternoon sun? 😉
Annie
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Sending you a hug….and a weird thought I just had.
The best place (for me) to watch bubbles has always been when I was sitting at the bottom of the pool, looking up.
LOLOL whatever that means 😉
Oh you big nut. But hey, I’m all for changing perspectives. 😉
A
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Oh, so very true. I’m trying to be strong like you…and not let that damn little bubble destroy me!
Oh honey, I don’t know if I’m strong – I think maybe I”m just persistant and refuse to let things get the better of me. Hard, though, it is.
Annie
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And you know what? The older you get..you know, really old like me…the less you react. You just get to the point where you say “M’eh, I just ain’t gonna waste anytime on this.” Mind you, I am always one for a total drama queen wallow! I just set a time limit on it…say 5 or 10 minutes or so *smile*
Oh Panther, you’re not old, you’re timeless. Yes, that 5-10 minutes of drama-queening is really worth the price of admission, isn’t it? 😉
Annie
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“Maybe I’ve just realized that every one of us have our own special brand of hell – and it’s the thing that binds us, rather than separates us. That my pain is not more special than others’, nor is misery my exclusive real estate but rather a commune in which we all have a timeshare.”
I really like this bit and it got me thinking. I think you are 100% right with this too. That we all have moments of hell in some ways brings us closer together. Its what empathy is made of. And empathy helps the world go round.
Sending you hugs and lots of dishwashing liquid and glycerine to make new bubbles 🙂
Thanks, Gem – I sure could use that dishwashing liquid and glycerine – but man, the postage is gonna kill ya. 😉
Annie
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I don’t know what happened but take care darlin’. I am sure that you can weather the storm.
Not to worry, my friend, as they say, all things happen for a reason. 🙂
Annie
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I think you have the right attitude to overcome the bubble bursters. It’s hard to keep that attitude when the the bursts are rapid fire, but hang in there. It’s the positive attitude that will see you through.
Hey Mrs. V,
Yup, we definitely have a rapid fire bursting going on. But we’re hanging in. 🙂
Annie
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What a great post. As another “bubble bursting survivor,” I’m looking forward to the day I can react with the same maturity and positive attitude that you’ve found!
Hey Dube,
LOL -seems there are a lot of us out there, eh? I don’t know if it’s maturity or even positive maybe it’s just experience. You come to realize after a while that there really are very few things that will kill you and mostly it’s just irritating interuptions to your chi. 🙂
WC
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