Things are Great! What Could Go Wrong?

[00:00:11] Speaker A: What's worthwhile considering what we consume, believe, say and do towards peace of mind, vitality of body and joy of spirit? I'm Ramsey Zimmerman. Here's some more healthy living, motivation and discussion. Hey there, it's Ramsay here. [00:00:33] Speaker B: You know how when you're watching a show or a movie and things are going a little too well and you're like, no, something is going to go horribly wrong? That's kind of where I'm at at the moment. And it's weird, unfamiliar. What's gonna happen next. Fact is, I'm feeling pretty great. [00:00:55] Speaker A: It's sunny, warm and gorgeous outside. [00:00:59] Speaker B: I'm healthy, feeling strong, and I pulled on my favorite pair of jean shorts that are totally faded and I almost got rid of because they were too tight in the waist and I put them on and they fit. My wife and I are getting along great. Both of my kids are going to be home this weekend to visit and they're doing great. I'm working on these meaningful and challenging collaborative work projects. I've got several home improvement projects lined up that might be a bit tedious or strenuous, but mostly straightforward. I feel connected to my friends. We're getting together for fun and to do group work. Even my dog and cat are getting along. If this was a movie or a TV show, it would either be the beginning or the turning point where something goes horribly wrong or the end and not even a setup for a sequel or the next season. I feel like I need to knock on wood or watch out for catastrophes. Why are we hardwired to expect conflicts or struggle or for things to go wrong? Why does an acknowledgment of happiness or contentment feel like an invitation for disaster? I'm reminded of the Matrix movies, how they said that they created multiple versions of the Matrix because originally they created a version where everything was great and people did not accept it. They didn't believe it. I don't know. Maybe it's just me. Maybe there are lots of happy, contented people out there who are totally accustomed to feeling like things are great. If that's you, that's awesome. Raise your hand. Tell me about it. It's not me, though. I think I've spent most of my life feeling miserable or depressed or misunderstood down at the deep part of my core. We're on the way up from that because things were getting better. But maybe I just expect that. I'm always prone to or vulnerable to dropping or spiraling back down into those dark places. Perhaps the surprise is that I don't feel that risk or pull of imminent danger this time, I think I just expect to. Could that mean that these good feeling times might be here to stay? I hope so. I do hope. Hope is another wonderful thing to feel. I feel great. I appreciate the fact that I do. And I hope that I continue to feel this way. And you know, it's actually not like everything is perfect. I have a lot of unaccomplished goals. I'm still working toward where I need to be. I've got a couple of seriously annoying house problems that continue to be an enormous pain to deal with, but those things just aren't bringing me down. It is weird saying all this 100% positive stuff. I have to wonder how it will land with you. [00:04:01] Speaker A: Look, we all deal with stress. Stress is not the problem. The problem is that our body's innate stress response is built for physical challenges instead of the mostly mental, emotional and virtual stresses that we face today. In my book, Stress Response, you'll learn to manage your response to stress in order to reduce anxiety, avoid burnout, and find calm and steady focus. The ebook is available on Amazon and only 99 cents for unlimited time. After you download, please don't forget to leave an honest review and rating so that others will find it too. [00:04:38] Speaker B: Have you been rolling your eyes, getting jealous that your things are not going your way? Or smiling and feeling happy for me because you care about me? Some combination, perhaps? Do you get this way? Are you afraid to embrace the good because you feel like you don't deserve it? Or because you'd be inviting disaster? Or the bottom dropping out? Or the mythical other shoe dropping on your head? I hope not. I don't want that for you. I want joy for you. I want you to feel loved, cared for, cared about, meaningful, appreciated. It's crazy to me that I feel those things now. And instead of being afraid to say it because maybe you don't feel the same, I do want to say it in hopes that you do feel the same. Or at least that you could feel the same. Likely you've got some issues, some obstacles, difficulties, challenges. Maybe they feel insurmountable, and maybe they actually are. But what do you have that is good, that is worth celebrating? Those are blessings. Maybe we just need to allow ourselves to feel joy. Embrace that feeling. Own it. Joy is a gift from God. It isn't something that we can create or manufacture. Maybe we need to embrace and accept that gift by opening our hearts and believing that love is real and God is good enough to love us even though we don't deserve it, even though we never get everything right and we always fall short and mess things up somehow. God never told anyone that they should not be too optimistic or joyful because if they were, he would smite them and make things go wrong. I'm pretty sure that's a human construct, a way to tell stories to each other and therefore to ourselves. You know, I've been sitting here speaking for a while. I want to get back outside, enjoy this nice weather, maybe cut some grass and take a walk. I imagine I will be hypervigilant for pianos hanging from ropes that might fall on my head. But that's life and for today, that is enough. [00:07:09] Speaker A: Ready for more? Visit whatsworthwhile.net to listen to podcast episodes. Master your response to stress by reading my book, Stress Response, available through Amazon, or to get better before burnout sets in by requesting the free guide. Regardless of where you are in your journey, I'd love to hear from you and talk about how we might move forward together. Please contact me, Ramsey Zimmerman, through the website or on social media like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or X. [00:07:39] Speaker B: Thanks.