I Am Invincible
Filed Under: Freedom & Politics, Thriving
When I was in a hospital bed recovering from my surgery, there was a woman in the bed next to me who was extremely anxious about her imminent procedure. I don’t know her specific situation, but it got me thinking about my lack of concern.
I don’t worry about disastrous things happening to me. Some people worry about having an accident, having surgery, losing a job, or losing a spouse. PHAT Daddy will sometimes remind me of the risks of working for ourselves. Lose one big client and we probably wouldn’t be able to pay our mortgage. But I’m not concerned.
Of course bad things *could* happen. It’s not that I’m in denial about risks, it’s that I truly believe I can overcome any problem life throws my way.
Interestingly, if you ask me whether I’m an optimist or pessimist, I’d say the glass is half empty. My mother taught me to always be prepared for the worst. When it comes to the small stuff I think negatively, but when it comes to the big stuff - disastrous life events - I have little fear.
I recently saw this comment on one of my clipmarks:
The rich are not paying their taxes so they can use the money to, among other things, attack public schools. They want to make people dumber thereby setting the stages to reduce their taxes even more. Private schools are a good choice for people who can buy the best while the rest of us get screwed again. Comment
by indolin.
The rest of us get screwed? How so? I don’t understand this resentment of wealthy people. I see wealthy people doing all kinds of good things for society. Donating time and money. Contributing to the growth of the economy. Sponsoring or initiating entrepreneurial ventures. Providing scholarship funds that allow others to go to college. How do the rich “screw” the poor?
People have called me lucky and used phrases such as “You just seem to fall into things…” But I know that I’ve educated myself, worked hard, taken risks, and made good choices to get where I am today. I don’t look to anyone else to make my life better, and I don’t blame anyone else for any unfortunate circumstance I might find myself in.
I’ve lived a comfortable life. I was raised in a decent family and was given everything I needed and most of what I wanted. I was also taught responsibility and learned that I had to work for some things myself. Now that I am a parent, I’ve thought a lot about giving my kids “too much” and how to help them develop an attitude of gratitude. My conclusion is that giving children what they want does not in and of itself spoil them for life. Giving them everything without teaching them responsibility for themselves is the problem. I want my kids to grow up thinking that they can have it all if they know how to go after it. Which is just exactly how I grew up.
And I sometimes feel invincible.
But I wonder… is my invincible attitude because I’ve had an “easy” life? Or have I had a fortunate life because of my invincible attitude?
PHAT = Parenting, Homeschooling And Technology. That about sums up my life at the moment.
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Braden | Jul 1, 2007 | Reply
I’d have to say that your life is what you make of it. Your life is fortunate because you know precisely how to handle whatever is thrown at you. I’d consider that a rare, and precious gift.
Oh yeah, welcome back. Hope the surgery went well, too.
Melissa Markham | Jul 2, 2007 | Reply
Interesting question. I am sure you have made great choices and you have a great attitude, but I also think discovering whether you are truly invincible means having to go through some difficult times and coming out okay on the other side.
For example, I have a pretty peaceful outlook on death. When people I know die, my sorrow is generally short-lived. It is harder for me to deal with if it is a child or young person, but less so with an older person as I look at it that they have had a good long life. However, having said that, I am 40 years old and never lost anyone really close to me. I have lost a grandfather and grandmother in my life time, but was not particularly close to either of them. I have not lost friends or parents and I am an only child. How will I do when the time comes that I lose someone really close to me? Will I be philosophical and look at their good long life or concentrate on the fact that they are going to a better place, or will I be an emotional wreck? Only time will tell.
So as to your invincibility…only time can tell. Is it being invincible to go through life without bad things happening to you? Or is it invincible to weather bad times and still come out with your sanity and humor intact?
I enjoyed reading your post (found it on sk*rt) and having to think early this morning:)
Melissa | Jul 2, 2007 | Reply
I like the idea of brown rice instead of crackers. I take it you cook the brown rice first, brown the beef, then mix it up and stuff it in?
Dana | Jul 2, 2007 | Reply
I’d say a bit of both, probably. There are reasons that some people rise above their circumstances and not others. I believe it has to do with them deciding at some point that they will control their environment and not be controlled by it.
I could have written this myself. But I have been through difficult times…I was a victim and carried that mentality with me for years. It affected all my relationships, my self-image and my ability to feel safe. When I realized that I was responsible for everything that happened after that point, my outlook changed dramatically. I ceased being a victim and became a survivor.
I have some understanding for those who don’t make that choice because it is a frightening place to be. I don’t know…for me, letting go was more frightening than staying where I was. But it was holding me captive and I wanted to be free.
petite mommy | Jul 3, 2007 | Reply
I also agree that our lives are mostly what we make of it and some of it is just left to luck but what we do with that is our responsibility.
I don’t feel invincible in the least because I know anything could happen at any time but I also don’t worry about those things much. I also believe I can handle all things that come my way somehow simply because I’ve already gotten through alot.
And I understand your husband reminding of you about the risks of working for yourselves since we do the same.
Ruth | Jul 4, 2007 | Reply
Great to see you standing up for things that are not right regardless of the size of their purse. Not always a popular thing. Well done and … Happy Independence Day from Ireland!