Gotcha!

The whole gotcha mentality is so negative. Whatever happened to the ‘You-can-do it’ spirit as yea-sayers whispered encouragement into the ears of those they rooted onward?  They used positive affirmations and life-giving phrases like ‘Go-for-it’ or ‘You’ve got this’ or ‘Reach for the stars!’

The gotcha minions focus on cutting folks off in their tracks. Their choirs sing, “Opps, You did it again.” They deplete the energy as they subtly imply that someone is imperfect, flawed and not up to snuff. It burrows the listener downward as it predicts gloom, doom and enhances self-consciousness which makes normal sprinters question themselves, their worth or their ability to make it through. 

Rather than allowing the words, gestures or nuances of the nay-sayers to get inside, it’s best to mentally shut them down. Turn if off. Ultimately, it does not matter if the ‘i’ is not dotted or the “t” is not crossed. As the kids in a local park used to sing, “It just doesn’t matter!” Often those with the pointer hollering, “Gotcha,” are the most flawed of all.

Those with good manners, good breeding and good home-training will bite down on their lips and vow not to respond to the little people. They will hold their peace and ignore the Lilliputians (little people) and like Nemo, just keep swimming. There is a saying that goes, “If doesn’t matter to you, then it does not matter.”

So, the next time a tiny thinker shouts, “Gotcha!, either act as if nothing has been said or shock their socks off and retort, “So what!” Then laugh at their gaped open mouths and walk on towards the next silver lining!

Lynn M.
September 16, 2023