Thanks to everyone for their kind words – even to the troll who commented that I was being “melodramatic,” which, duh. Are you just visiting this Web site? This site has been a petri dish for melodrama since way back!
ejshea.com: making mountains out of molehills since 1999!
I like the trolls, mostly because it’s nice that I still have a couple who care enough to stir things up.
Anyway, it’s worth pointing out, things got a little rough after I posted that entry. It’s tough, when your worst fears are realized, to maintain grace and composure. I’ve tried, but I’ve managed to lose my shit completely on a couple of occasions these past two weeks. It was then that I turned to Geneen Roth and the skies parted, the heavens sung.
I’ll go into her work at another time, but suffice it to say that reading statements like (and I’m summarizing here) “People who are obsessive need drama. They have to make up drama where none exists because they’ve never really known a life without it.” hit home so marvelously that I got teary-eyed, put the book down, continued my walk home and got the hell over myself. Job loss = end of the world if you’re little Erin Shea. But job loss for adult Erin Shea is not, and does not have to be as such.
Ever since then, I’ve nutted up. It’s still not easy, and I have to be as present as possible so my mind doesn’t get away from itself, but I’ve stopped checking and rechecking our bank accounts every 5 minutes.
So that’s really it for now. I’m lucky to be in love with my job, and the people with whom I work, as it’s done wonders for keeping The Crazy at bay. That and the Geneen Roth. Seriously. Good stuff.
It’s awesome that you are working toward remaining calm (what else can you do), but honestly, who could blame you for “losing your shit” here and there? Job loss is super scary until you can wrap your head around how you’ll survive it. Positive thoughts your way.
Are you reading Geneen’s latest? I started it when I was in Baltimore and haven’t finished but I was just blown away by how she seemed to be writing from inside my head.
…. and this too shall pass!
I //heart Geneen Roth
Hang in there Shea!!
xoxo
Lisa
Dear Erin,
Thank you for your very kind words here. Sometimes we read something and it touches so deeply that we turn toward what hurts and then the healing begins. It sounds like that is what happened to you. So glad your heart is being touched.
Denise is referring to my new book Women Food and God and I’m delighted this has moved her. Knowing that we’re not alone is such a healing balm. Thanks again for your mention. I’d love to stay connected on Facebook too, if that’s of interest to you.
Geneen Roth
When I find my thoughts spiraling out of control I tell myself, “Okay, it’s time to get off the Crazy Train.” It really is a conscious effort to make yourself STOP.
Good for keeping your head up, I always so “100 years from now, it’s not going to make a damn difference.”