Nancy Werlin's Blog, page 53

#291: Tale of the Broken Ballerina, 2

#291: Tale of the Broken Ballerina, 2

#290: Tale of the Broken Ballerina, 1

#290: Tale of the Broken Ballerina, 1

#289: The Problem of Eli, 15

#289: The Problem of Eli, 15

#288: The Problem of Eli, 14

#288: The Problem of Eli, 14

The 10 Things Mentally Strong Fuckups Do - by Nancy Werlin

1. They know their own minds.

Mentally strong fuckups decline to be confused by the voices of other people. They know the many reasons why others’ experience and advice is neither helpful nor particularly relevant.   

2. They welcome those long, tough discussions.   

Mentally strong fuckups are always willing to get into it when something matters to them. Also, once they have engaged, they stay focused. They won’t allow other people to weak-mindedly change the topic of conversation.  

3. They defend their rights. 

You won’t find mentally strong fuckups backing off from necessary confrontation. If an asshole cuts them off in traffic, or fails to ensure that their baggage arrives at the carousel when it should, they know it is counterproductive to hold back.

4. They are not confined or intimidated by social expectations.

Mentally strong  fuckups aren’t afraid to change social plans when something better comes along. They recognize that opportunity must be seized. Any true friend will totally understand.

5. They are honest.

Mentally strong fuckups always tell you just what they think of you and your behavior. They know intuitively that tact achieves nothing, and that your pain will ultimately be your gain.

6. They live life with humor.   

Mentally strong fuckups pride themselves on their light-hearted attitudes. They know that laughter is the best medicine when it comes to, say, your father-in-law’s cancer or your girlfriend’s stream of rejections from publishers.

7. They know how to let themselves off the hook.

Mentally strong fuckups never waste time looking to blame themselves for things gone wrong. The fault invariably lies in other people’s failures of imagination or intelligence or consideration. Or simply in the stars! Mentally strong fuckups know all the words to “Let It Go.”  

8. They focus on the future, not the past.      

Mentally strong fuckups have the ability to picture their future triumphs in detail. They take responsibility for every choice involved in picking the dress and bling they will wear for their TED talks, award ceremonies, and also when they are gratefully and publicly presented with large checks.  

9. They change strategy, not their mind.

If a desired goal eludes mentally strong fuckups, they do not falter, turn back, or reassess. Instead, they consider other ways to get there. If reasoned persuasion hasn’t worked, for example, they try tactics like manipulation and stalking. They understand that screaming, badgering, intimidation, and tears are simply tools, like any other.

10. They know how to find the silver lining.

When mentally strong fuckups do encounter disappointment, they nimbly recast the situation in a positive light. They didn’t really want that promotion, anyway, because the job is a nightmare. Also, they have discovered that that stunningly attractive woman is actually a meth addict and a hoarder. 

-Nancy Werlin (because I couldn’t resist, and with a wink and thanks to “The 13 Things that Mentally Strong People Don’t Do” by Amy Morin)

#287: The Problem of Eli, 13

#287: The Problem of Eli, 13

#286: The Problem of Eli, 12

#286: The Problem of Eli, 12

#285: The Problem of Eli, 11

#285: The Problem of Eli, 11

#284: The Problem of Eli, 10

#284: The Problem of Eli, 10

#283: The Problem of Eli, 9

#283: The Problem of Eli, 9