Drama: a composition in prose or verse presenting in dialogue or pantomime a story involving conflict or contrast of character on stage or play. I love this photo of Greta Garbo, an actress who did drama, royally.
Drama:
Letting ego control our lives; allowing others to influence our lives by
participating in situations that are better left alone. Translation: an event
or situation that should only be wrangled with a ten-foot-pole, like the ones
they use to snare a wild mountain lion or a dog with rabies.
Drama:
is connected to negativity and I’ve already covered in an earlier post how one
should protect one’s self from negative people. When we are around negative
people, we lose some of our power. It is a dangerous and toxic form of
entertainment. So why do we do it? Why do we allow ourselves to become involved
in other people’s “Drama”? Are we bored? Do we feel obligated to help? Are we practicing
for canonization into sainthood?
To
Speak or not to Speak
We are not the Dali Lama, or the Pope, or Stephen Hawking.
We don’t know everything! We certainly don’t know what’s in another person’s
heart or mind. We’re not Judge Judy and since we’re not, it’s not our place to
pass judgment on a situation that does not involve us. The only proper reply
to give, when someone tries to drag you into an ongoing battle by asking your
opinion is and, I’ve listed three:
1. “I don’t know what to say.”
2. “I don’t want to give an opinion or advice until I
hear both sides of the story and, it’s been presented to the United Nations
delegation.”
3. “I don’t know what to say.”
Advice
I’ve learned over my many lives (Yes, I feel that I’ve
been here before in the role of teacher. And, I don’t care if you believe me because
I’m not into drama) that the only people who will actually listen to your
advice are people under the age of seven. After a person passes the age of
seven, unless they’re grandchildren with whom you have a close relationship with,
they basically don’t want your advice.
Now, if someone asks for your advice, you can hold
up a poster board detailing a list of do’s and don’ts which I’m pretty sure
would go over like a lead balloon, or...you can tell the person asking for
advice what you did when faced with a similar problem and, what the end results
of your decision were. Then you keep quiet.
Survival
Tips
We all have that one family member or friend that suffers
from Royalty Syndrome. Princess Lena wants to know why the other subjects in
her kingdom are keeping secrets from her, or Prince Froggy wants to know why he’s
not invited to the pond for a fun night of beer and football games with the
other frogs. They call you up and moan on and on about how they’re not
understood or loved by all, but while they prattle on, your blood pressure is
rising and you’re now feeling depressed. Negativity drains your power.
The World will not end if you can’t solve another
person’s social ills. You can listen to your friend or family and be
compassionate about their woes, but do not engage in their dramas: no advice; no
gossip, and definitely, no interventions! We can’t save everyone.
When friends or family, over the age of seven, are
fighting, you need to stay neutral and, this means in your words and your
actions. I know nothing, I see nothing, I hear nothing.
Don’t take sides and don’t be manipulated because
there are emotional vampires who feed on drama. They might not even be aware
they are causing havoc in their circle of friends and family, but they are.
Learn to step back. It is not your battle. It’s not
about you. Let the drama die a quiet death.
