Severe Case of Life!

Severe Case of Life!

© Allen Merritt (2017)

I recently read something that spoke to the concept of having a “severe case of life.” Of course, that caught my attention. What does that mean, a severe case of life? I began to wonder.

I suppose having a severe case of life refers to what happens once a person is born. They enter this state of what we call life. We are in it for the long haul, like it or not. In many ways, we do not have a choice but to live this thing called life, experiencing it one step at a time. Otherwise, we only exist against all odds. I can almost see this as living inside a box or bubble known as life. Eventually, somewhere down the road we will escape the box or begin a new existence living outside this box (life), but for now (as we consciously understand it) we are experiencing a severe case of life.

Now, some might think we do have a choice once we are conscious of the idea that we can make our own choice(s). But for me, my thought is this: if we are given this gift of life, then why not truly live it with fullness of gusto? Why not be in it to win it? What have we got to lose?

How severe is this case called life anyway? Is it serious?

If you look up the word ‘severe’, it specifically refers to that which is harsh, strict, bad or negative. Generally, the word speaks to intensity and extremes toward the opposite end of the spectrum when discussing positivity. However, I suppose in some instances the term could be seen as a positive.

Maybe having a case of a severe life is a matter of personal opinion and perspective.

I have had many folks tell me throughout my life that I come across as being much too serious. I should loosen up or lighten up! Interestingly, I do not always see myself in this way. Yes, I get serous from time to time. I consider the importance of each moment and what matters and if it calls for me to take a moment to be serious, than I do. But, overall, I think of myself as a person who tries to be peaceful, joyous, happy, humored and humorous. I like having fun and enjoying myself. The difference in my outlook compared to others is that I don’t necessarily enjoy what others think of as fun. To this end, I think we make others seem more complex than they really are. To me, this is an example of experiencing life as severe.

Ultimately, your personal outlook on your life is just that…personal. Altering our state of mind is the challenge in those moments where life does feel severe.

For some, living a severe case of life might have to do with surviving, overcoming or trying to deal with living through something traumatic or dramatic, maybe even fatal. One must recognize such situations as a direct correlation to living this 'severe case of life'. But for those who are looking to find a way out of their own head in thinking they are living a severe case of life when in fact they are only living life, changing the meaning and the experience may be vital. Some may even brush it off or look at this in a new way by saying:

That’s life!

It is what it is!

Deal with it!

Whatever!

How about changing our mentality of what severity is all about. Could we exchange the term for one of 'extreme'? For example, can we take any antonym of the word ‘severe’ and think of life in those terms; antonyms which include words such as kind, amenable, calm, compromising, easy-going, friendly, willing or temperate?

Instead of thinking of it as living a 'severe case of life', maybe we could consider living an 'extreme case of life' filled with all the good and/or opposite words to the term ‘severe'.

Thrill seekers tend to live their lives with a sense of severity and/or extremes. They love it! No matter how dangerous, they are out there taking the challenge. So let us take the challenge this week to redefine any preconceived notions or formulated ideas about living a 'severe case of life' and be certain to make any connotation to the word 'severity' one that leads to what I keep referring to as positivity in motion.

Let’s make that a consideration this week and see what comes about.

Go out there and life a severe or extreme case of life on the right note!

Cheers!