Angsty

No, I'm not in the least bit angsty. But listening to other people's frustrations and all made me realise that it makes a huge difference how we handle the seeming setbacks in life. If we continually look at things in a negative way, blaming everyone except ourselves, then we will be stuck in the same miserable rut.

"Since that person came into the picture, my life has been a literal hell," you say.

Ok, yes, perhaps that person has bad communication skills and PR. But hey, what was your contribution to make that person angsty towards you? If there's anything that I've learned, it's this: no one is entirely blameless when it comes to most angsty situations. Maybe your face resembled their Auntie Rosie who used to pinch their cheeks and go, "Oh, so cute! So cute!"

"We never used to do things that way! We were happier before!"

No one is happy when they are required to change from their comfortable old ways. For every bad feeling that you experience from having to change to suit this person's requirement, it must be difficult for that person, too. Changing someone's mindset and habits is not an enviable nor easy task. If I had a choice between being the change implementor or being the implementee, I'd rather be in the latter's shoes. Changing my own self is easier than trying to change a herd of old dogs.

As they say, it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

"But the person is so strict and unreasonable! Merciless, too!"

Oh well. If they are given the authority to enforce the rules, play by their rules. And if the rules suck, try to find channels to appeal and change it.

Last resort... leave. Like I did when I was embroiled in a pit of angsty-ness that was impossible to change. Sometimes angsty-ness is God's way of telling you that it's time to leave for another pasture.

And that's not such a bad thing, isn't it?