Let's Hear It For Misery!

My whole life I’ve been a glass half-full kind of girl.  I remember going to Doc’s, my small town’s drug store, when I was about 8 years old and Doc asking my mother, ‘Why is that child always smiling?’

I would agree that I could be labeled ‘pollyanna-ish.’ No doubt I see the world through rose-colored glasses.  No matter how tough the journey seems, I’m always convinced things will get better.  When I arise in the morning, I have a light heart…especially, after my first cup of coffee.

Of course, life is filled with highs and lows.  I’m learning to be grateful for the lows…isn’t that where our greatest growth happens?

So, over that cup of coffee, I had to chuckle when I read Marilyn Preston’s article:  “8 Easy Steps to Making Yourself Miserable.”  Why be the life of the party when you can be a party pooper and make everyone miserable?  You know that old adage, “misery loves company.”  Yeah….bring everyone down!

Then, I read her steps.

 Blame your parents.  What???  I shouldn’t blame my mother???  OMG!  Gotta grow up?

2.   Practice sustained boredom.  Tell everybody how bored you are….people love to hear that?Go for drama….have an affair, start meaningless fights.  Oh, so fun.

3.  Don’t enjoy life’s pleasures.  Forget that beautiful sunset.  No museums, movies or plays.  Put that book down.  Get focused on the world’s ills.  Okay.  I can’t really relate to this, since I’m all about life’s pleasures!

4.  Ruminate.  Focus totally on yourself.  Especially, your flaws and faults.  Turn molehills into mountains.

5.  Be critical.  Develop a negative attitude about everything and anything!  Don’t let anyone catch you being positive.  Be a traffic-hater, an Obamacare-hater.  Point out the flaws in anyone you come into contact with.  “What made you think that dress is attractive?”

6.  Avoid gratitude.  Never count your blessings.  What blessings?  Just know you have been given a terrible life and suffer.

7.  Give yourself a negative identity.  Think you’re depressed?  Read all you can about it and take on that persona.  Maybe you could be socially anxious.  No matter what, don’t smile.

8.  Whatever you do, do it for personal gain.  Life is all about you.  Don’t volunteer or donate to charity.  Take care of numero uno, even if you hate yourself.

I admit I had to laugh out loud when I read this.  Of course, it’s all tongue in cheek but don’t you know people like this?  Maybe they’re not practicing all of the steps but there are lots of glass half-empty people out there.

They have to be pretty miserable, and what kind of people are they attracting?  More miserables.



Personally?  I’d rather keep my own company.  Sunset, anyone?  Life is just too short.