Posts Tagged ‘Emotions’

I’m Becoming a Sentimental Wuss

Posted: December 10, 2013 in Emotions
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TearOne of the changes I’ve noticed about myself in recent years is that I’m far more sentimental or emotional than I used to be. It doesn’t take a lot to get to me. Thank goodness nobody else but my dog is with me in my “man” cave when I see some sappy commercial or moment on TV that makes me tear up. It might be something in the news or a commercial designed to tug at the heart or some random thought that comes to mind that consumes me. I even cried one evening a few weeks ago about something work related. That may have been a first for me in 40 years of employment.

Is it normal for people to get more emotional as they get older? Do we become more reflective and aware of substantive matters of the heart? Is it some other change within that has nothing to do with age or gender? Am I too stressed and suffering the emotional consequences? I don’t know.

It isn’t that I mind being more sensitive. That can be a good thing. I just wish I understood the change better. Any thoughts on the matter?

I sure hope I don’t have to start calling my “man” cave a “wuss” cave soon.

Leap Year Lesson #309: How You Handle Loss Reveals Character and Maturity

Posted: November 7, 2012 in Behavior
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My preferred candidate lost last night’s presidential election.  Actually, my preferred candidate (Mike Huckabee) didn’t even run for president, but of the two main contenders, I voted for the more conservative one in keeping with my beliefs, values and underlying philosophy of the role of government.  It was a close election, but in the end, the other guy won.

When that happens, how one reacts says a lot about one’s character and maturity.  It is easy and understandable when those on the losing side feel distraught and experience a host of negative emotions.  It is equally unsurprising to see the winners jubilant and celebratory.  We don’t have to go far – being around other people, watching TV news, engaging in social media, exploring the Web – to see and hear the variety of ways in which both winners and losers respond to the final results.

Since my guy lost, I get the chance to choose how I react in this situation.  I can be mad.  I can spew hate.  I can blame.  I can throw out challenges to get revenge next time.  But none of those reactions seem particularly inviting, mature, or reflective of the character of anyone I want to be.

Earlier this afternoon I posted how I want to respond on Facebook this way:

“To my fellow Romney supporters, today would be a very good day to be gracious and kind to all, to refrain from any biting remarks, to commit to praying for our president and other leaders, to make every effort we can to understand one another, to do our part to heal a divided nation, and to work together like adults to solve problems. Those of us on the losing side of the vote will most likely not find the eventual outcome to be as horrible as we fear just as those on the winning side will not see all their dreams come to pass. We’ll be OK.”

As my friend Larry stated in a comment to that Facebook post, “It would be even better if everyone did that every day.”  I agree.

Leap year lesson #309 is How you handle loss reveals character and maturity.