Day 244 - Pick Your Battles. Or I Will

April 9th, 2010

Over the course of our lives, scenarios present themselves that tend to be catalysts for us to react in a manner that could be interpreted as hot headed, reactive and, as the kids say, uncool. On day 244 of my 365 day blog entry challenge, I want to challenge all of us to respond to life’s stressors in an unruffled manner that might seem counter intuitive. What if someone actually told us during our formative years that life was supposed to be hard? Perhaps we would have avoided gut wrenching angst if we allowed ourselves to realize that we’re supposed to be tested. Our challenge lies in finding methods of controlling our reaction to the fan. When the shit hits it.

Let's consider how these events of the past and present could have been and can be drastically altered by practicing a reaction of peace, calm and tranquility that would make our mom proud. And Jesus Harold Christ.

Stress inducing event -

Kanye West storming on the stage when Taylor Swift was presented Best Female Video at the VMAs. He cut the stunned 18 year old off, grabbed the mic and protested in support of Beyonce.

Jax’s Alternative Reaction -

Yes, this did not settle well with Beyonce, Kanye’s handlers and America. But guys, seriously, look at the happy accident that transpired. As I wrote on Day 46 in an entry called “ Conscience Be Gone”, “Taylor Swift should be thanking Kanye West. Hardcore. Don’t get me wrong. I know that KW is the exaggeration of self righteousness and lives in a giant statue of himself in the land of delusions of grandeur. But from a PR standpoint, his VMA opera moment(me me me me me I I I I I) introduced the innocent young country pop star to many who were unfamiliar to the Swift that is Taylor. The newest fans are now personally invested in her career and post interruption emotional state. “I just feel her pain. Taylor has been like a daughter to me.” Taylor will be fine.


Stress inducing event -

Stepping in dog crap

Jax’s Alternative Reaction –

Once you shift your annoyance, take a deep breath and download an ebook on relaxation, you’ll discover a positive spin and be saying, “I really envy that my neighbor’s German shepherd has such a healthy digestive track. I should eat more kale.”


Stress inducing event -

A douche bag at a bar tells your girlfriend, “If your left leg is Thanksgiving, and your right leg is Christmas, can I visit you between the holidays?”

Jax’s Alternative Reaction –

Instead of involving yourself in a spiteful bar brawl, say to yourself, “My special lady’s luminescent personality and award winning cleavage really light up a room. In fact, she’s so special that strangers want to make time for her during the busy holiday season.”


Stress inducing event – You lose your job

Jax’s Alternative Reaction – Enjoy your unemployment and get in the European mindset. They take four hour lunches. And take August off. If you’re in a French state of mind, you have more time to dabble with anti-Semitism.


Stress inducing event – Your significant other walks out on you.

Jax’s Alternative Reaction –

Alleviate the pain by telling yourself, “If I so badly wanted to be with the wrong person, just think how conscience altering beautiful it will be when the right one comes along.” Also, remind yourself that it was peculiarly toxic that you were dating your third cousin.