Like Butta!

Like Butta!

©Allen Merritt (2015)

                      

Take a moment to ask yourself the following:

What do you do when something doesn’t seem to make any sense?

Would you allow it to bring you down and rip you apart inside?

What do you do when you feel like everything is going wrong at work?

Would you constantly complain?

If you disagree with a process, procedure or policy, what can you do?

Would you quit?

Most of these options not only appear as negative solutions, but are unrealistic in most environments. If you give up, quit and constantly make extreme changes, you would never keep a job, a relationship or achieve goals and dreams.

So how do you keep everything on a positive note?

I’d like to share the following story and anecdote from a previous work environment.

Years ago an old colleague of mine and I used to find ways to laugh and have a good time at our “little” corporate job. We’d discover ways to amuse ourselves despite our work conditions by making up jokes and songs. I’m pretty sure, when it comes to our jobs, many will attest to how some days are better than others.  In any case, my associate and I would calculate subtle ways to laugh about everything. We chose to make our day(s) uplifting and positive. We had to! It was a matter of self-preservation and survival. Some jobs, people and circumstances place you in that position.

I’m not sure what happened or how it came about, but suddenly we started using a little phrase, “Like Butta!” This was our modest inside joke and daily mantra. Every time something would start to go haywire we’d make a smirky face and whisper, “Like Butta!” Sometimes we would even say it with a funny voice and with different vocal inflections.

Like Butta!

Like BUTTA!

Like…..wait for it……Butt-aa!

My friend and I were like-minded enough to understand the importance of turning things around to make a better day for ourselves and everyone else around us. We either both complained and aggravated the sore or we dared to find a way to soothe it.

In a round-about way, I can see the phrase in an eastern philosophical way. I could just as well be saying, “Like Buddha!”  Buddhism suggests the impermanence of everything.  Don’t get too attached to what is going on around you. Acknowledge it, watch it and let it move along.

Looking back I realize how we were making an effort to find balance and a happy medium in doing our jobs, as well as being (a) human in a work environment. This little inside joke became our way of embracing the moment, going with the flow and understanding that “This too shall pass.”

Like Bhudda!

Like Butta!

Repeating the ‘Like Butta!” mantra reminded us that nothing is ever important enough to get the best of us. “Like Butta!” allowed us to see things for what they were and not get over-emotional or over-reactive in the right here and right now. We simply permitted those temporary moments of chaos to roll off our backs like warm butter (i.e. the phrase ‘Like Butta!’).

Now, I am not one to deny how or what I feel. I don’t hide things that well. You can read the concern in my eyes. Nevertheless, I’m an advocate for experiencing whatever it is you are feeling, coming to grips with a situation, understanding where you fit in, investigating further to make sure something important is not being noticed which could change or impact the situation (not everything is what it appears to be) and then making a decision to let go and move on in an appropriate manner. In other words, work on finding a happy solution that benefits the better part of the whole. Each individual decision will vary. It may mean coming to a compromise or moving away from the circumstances altogether.

In the end, most people are not Super heroes. We can’t please everyone. We can only do the best we can no matter where we are and what we are doing. Sometimes you have to let it roll off your back like butter.

So instead of fearing the unknown or getting upset and worrying about those ‘what if’s’ and crazy happenstances, start singing your own tunes.

If you want, you can even borrow our little mantra. Feel free to chant it over and over again.

Like Butta!

Repeat that about 40 times and you will be an expert at letting it go….at least, I hope so!

Cheers!

Keep Calm and…What?!

Keep Calm and…What?!

©Allen Merritt (2015)

What a week!

How many times have you said that when it was only Tuesday?

Have you noticed that saying which keeps popping up all over the internet and is printed on tee shirts and stuff, “Keep Calm and…(fill in the blank)?” It’s everywhere these days. I have thought about that phrase often this week and seriously contemplated what my ‘fill in the blank’ would be.

I laugh at the idea it would be some quick retort to my circumstances which accurately conveys a sense of the sarcastic in me. But, in truth, being reactive (as opposed to being responsive) is not the place I want to reside. To live in a place of stress, concern, irritation or anger does not appeal to me anymore. However, I am human, so when I find myself in the midst of a whirlwind I have to take stock in what is going on, where I am at, how I feel about it and what is the best approach for producing a positive resolution.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have these moments. The kind where they are trying to get things done, having to entrust other people to get those things done only to discover it isn’t happening. Situations just drag on.

Here’s an example:

I have been dealing with leaking pipes running down into my apartment from another unit. I caught it a week before Christmas last year and it still has not been repaired or the walls rebuilt. It has taken almost 4 months of living in a construction zone, wastewater dripping bedroom to get any conscientious human being to take responsibility for fixing it. Insurance already worked out the details and still I couldn’t get the problem fixed. I called every legal health and safety agency; got nowhere. Finally, I began to calmly share my thoughts with the appropriate individuals and asked, ‘How angry does a person have to get before someone listens, assesses and takes action?” It is interesting what happens when you inform people you are at a total loss, ready to throw in the towel and are turning everything over to legal.

Sound familiar?

How do you maintain a sense of calm despite it all?

According to Wikipedia¹, the Keep Calm and Carry On phrase was created in 1939 as a motivational morale-boosting poster put out by the British in preparation for the Second World War. They wanted the populace to keep their wits about them and work together for the common good. Makes sense, right?

This also reminds me of a little book by Robert Fulghum titled, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” ²

Here are some ideas put forth by Fulghum:  Share everything, Play fair, Don't hit people, Put things back where you found them, CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS, Don't take things that aren't yours, Say you're SORRY when you HURT somebody, Wash your hands before you eat and Flush.

Now, none of these ideas are new, but there is a little lesson here. And that is, I think everyone needs helpful reminders every now and again to help them through trying moments. Despite the fact we may know something, we get distracted, caught up in the moment, trapped in the rat race and feel overwhelmed and pressured by so much in today’s society that we hardly feel we can breathe let alone remember our core essence.

We must pause for a moment. Take a breath. Regain composure. Clear the head. Respond accordingly.

In the end, I am pleased I kept my calm and addressed my situation respectfully, responsively and without raising my voice. I remain hopeful all will be resolved and put back into place soon. But, in the meantime…….ay-yi-yi!

So.

What situations are you trying to sort out?

Are you working to end them on a positive note?

What will your ‘fill in the blank’ be?

Keep Calm and… (what?)!

Think about it. Be creative. Come up with something fun that really works for you.

Today, I will choose to fill in my blank with the word “Laugh.”

Keep Calm and Laugh!  

Ha, ha, ha!

Cheers!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Calm_and_Carry_On¹ (Viewed on 4/14/2015)

http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2399046-all-i-really-need-to-know-i-learned-in-kindergarten²(Viewed on 4/14/2015)

Murphy’s Law!

Murphy’s Law!

©Allen Merritt (2015)

What is that old saying?

"Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong." 

Do you believe that?  Or, is that old saying setting us up for failure when we fall into saying it? Think about it and hear me out for a moment.

Recently, I had one of those days when no matter what I did to troubleshoot and prevent problems from happening, they just kept happening. Throughout that day I felt I was doing nothing but putting out fires beyond my control. My expertise was not enough to solve the problems.

By the end of the day, I shut the door to yet another hotel room, turned on the television after exhaling a heavy sigh of hot air. And, I stood there starring at the television as a reporter relayed an incredible story of an epileptic man who went skydiving not long ago. The man jumped out of the plane fully in control of the situation and moments later he went into a seizure free-falling at around 9,000 feet in the air. He blacked out and was falling rapidly. His sky diving instructor jumped separately as they were not in tandem and noticed something was happening. The partner dove toward the falling man to help right his body and attempt to access the man’s parachute rip cord. Now, here is where I learned something new about how some parachutes these days have a computer built in to time release the shoot in emergency situations.  It’s called an automatic activation device¹. Wow! How far technology can take us! As it turns out, the device was not used, but what an amazing story.

Anyway, with little time to spare  (3,000 feet from hitting the ground) the parachute opened AND the man regained consciousness in time to gain control, right his body and land without further incident. Not a scratch. Nothing.

My mouth was wide open. I was amazed at the entire miraculous episode. And, the timing could not have been more perfect for me on a personal level. It made me feel my experiences that day were nothing compared to what this man went through. Whew! I had to let my day go right then and there. I had to move past it after witnessing this account on television. Seriously, Murphy's Law does not always apply. More often than not, things happen and then we work on improving them.

If anyone had a right to believe in the Murphy’s Law adage, it was this epileptic young man. However, despite his situation and circumstances, he decided to live his live anyway, do what he wanted to do without limitations. Incredible!

So my thought is this, when it seems terrible, maybe it isn't or at least not as bad as we might make it.  We just got to remember that other old adage, “This too shall pass.”

Maybe we should change the Murphy’s Law adage to reflect something better such as “anything that can go right, will go right. And, if not, turn left until you can make it round right again.” What do you think? I like it. It certainly fits in with my idea of keeping it on a positive note!

Hey, if you want to watch the incredible skydiving video, look here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNYw00S_fjo

Cheers!

http://rt.com/news/236821-skydiving-student-seizure-saved¹ (Viewed April 2015)

Don’t Dwell – Be Well!

Don’t Dwell – Be Well!  
©Allen Merritt (2015)

Let’s talk about dwelling, the kind of place you physically, spiritually and mentally live in if you’re not careful. No, I’m not speaking of a literal house (a noun). I refer to dwelling as a continual living or lingering in a particular state of mind (a verb). This can be either negative or positive. Either way, it is an action we can choose to avoid.

Dwelling on something; those times when your mind is on overload, actively thinking all the time, but you can’t get something off your mind or out of your head. It could be anything: a catchy tune, a problem or all those crazy drivers out on the roadway.

If you’re like me, this happens from time to time. I find I have to take a deep breath, recognize it and be aware of it before I can begin the steps toward finding a positive spin.

For example, yesterday I took a quick 4-hour drive to make an appointment. Delays along the roadway began to eat up my travel time (accidents, road construction, other drivers, etc.) Now, I allowed extra time for this, but after a while I felt I would cut it close. All I could do was chug along and hope for the best for an on time arrival.

I sighed a lot, recalculated my time and distance and considered possible short cuts. I knew I would make it, but it would be with little time to spare. And, that is exactly what happened. I arrived just before my appointment time only to sit there and wait another 15-20 minutes. It’s funny how things work out.

Interestingly, on my way back I had just as many delays. Crazy drivers were everywhere. It was a bit tense and nerve wracking. It’s hard not to sit there in your car and dwell on the situation bumper to bumper.

Am I going to make it on time?

Hey! Use your turn signal!

I just want to get home.

If we’re not careful, the daily barrage of negative (or uncontrollable circumstances) can take over and get the best of us. Lingering too long in the past is the same as dwelling on the past. In the end, you’re exhausted and tense. What's the point in that!

Throughout my experience, I kept looking for ways to throw some positivity on the situation. Ultimately, I was laughing because I was allowing my frustration to turn into creativity in the car by coming up with my own little stand-up comedy routine about driving in heavy traffic with all kinds of wacky drivers, which is a whole other blog in and of itself!  Needless-to-say, I was happy to laugh a little and get home safe and sound.

So my positive note for the week is “Don’t Dwell” on things. Acknowledge them and then move on from them. Otherwise, they zap your energy and happiness. Instead, be well. Think of dropping the ‘D’ from ‘Dwell’ or making it silent. Then you are looking at “Well” or wellness. That should be the focus.

Let this be our mantra for the week:  Don’t Dwell – Be Well~!

Go ahead. Say it aloud and repeat it as necessary.

Don’t Dwell – Be Well~!

Don’t Dwell – Be Well~!

Don’t Dwell – Be Well~!

And on another positive note, check out this little article offering five ways to stop dwelling on things.

http://www.happify.com/hd/stop-dwelling-on-negative-thoughts

And, if you ARE going to dwell on something, dwell on positivity and happiness.

Cheers!

Milestones!

Milestones!

©Allen Merritt (2015)

I've been traveling a lot lately and simultaneously trying to keep up with several projects. Sometimes it feels overwhelming, but in the end when it all comes together I am happy to accomplish the tasks.

In the thick of it all I found myself taking a moment to visit the hotel fitness center. I hopped on the treadmill because I enjoy walking and running as part of my workout. I noticed that the digital screen in front of me tracked me around an animated track. One lap equaled ¼ mile. I discovered myself at the beginning trying to move forward as I have my work. A few minutes went by and I was already around the track and moving into a new lap. After a bit, I observed how I was giving myself a verbal pat on the back and saying, “Good going. That’s 15 minutes and one mile behind you.” That passing of time and waiting to cross a threshold is always there and every chance I get to recognize reaching a milestone I willingly accept it.

Sometimes you have to distract yourself. Find things to think about that take your mind off the hard and difficult tasks. Otherwise, the doldrums, negative forces and bah humbugs take over and try to bring you down and make time pass slowly.

For me, I like to think about things I am trying to accomplish or projects I am interested in pursuing and how I might get there, etc. I think of funny things or anything that takes me out of the task-oriented moment and pushes me along. At least on a treadmill you have the ability to put the body on auto pilot and let your mind wander and explore other possibilities and perspectives. This may not work in other situations, but it does on that treadmill. I guess you could say the treadmill builds perspective and shows it to you. You visually see where you started and where you are now. I believe everyone needs encouragement and to see the result of their good and hard work. If it cannot come from the environments we participate in, then maybe it can come from within-side ourselves such as on that old treadmill. Why not!

If I go to the gym every day I can visibly see and remind myself that I am doing things and accomplishing things. I am reaching milestones all the time and never realize it.  I can then transfer that into the rest of my everyday life.

I guess, On a Positive Note, taking a moment to come back to one’s self provides a chance to see things clearly and consider every part of the whole. Milestones are like goals. We work toward them. We reach them. We surpass them. We create new ones. We just need to remind ourselves that they are there.

Instead of getting bogged down by it all, we can remember how things will pass by and new things will take their place. In a nutshell, any negative situation is only temporary!

Moreover, when you are working on several projects simultaneously, reaching several milestones can happen more quickly. I love that idea! I love feeling doubly productive whenever I can. And, when that happens, I feel the smiles take over.

So this week, I am encouraging everyone to reach for and recognize their milestones. We all are accomplishing something. May it be a good thing that makes you smile.

 Hey, if it puts a smile on your face, it can’t be all that bad, can it?  80)

Cheers!