Sometimes being a grown-up is for the birds. Seriously. Sky-high stress from work and family worries, dog worries, and life in general takes a toll when it continues unabated for weeks on end. Much like Lilly, I cope pretty well when a few things go wrong. Much like Lilly, I shutdown when a dozen or more things go wrong in quick succession. Sometimes, I feel all coped out.
About a week ago, I faced a final-straw moment. It’s a work thing, so I won’t belabor the point. BUT, I was hurt. I was angry. I was upset. I had not one ounce of cope left in the well.
Then, one of my new clients, who is making it possible for me to catch up with life financially, gave me this advice:
FIDO: Forget it. Drive on.
I’m grateful to her not only for the work (and the income it brings) but also for this tidy, dog-based stress strategy.
Just as I hope Lilly recovers quickly in situations where her fear gets the best of her, I’ve begun using the FIDO method to handle the moments that threaten to sink me.
Like a little tank, built to take the blasts of my career and miscellaneous disappointments, I motor on with my deadlines, with my family obligations, with my dog training … with Lilly as my co-pilot, chief navigator, and (when required) Major Snugglebug.
So, if you’re having one of those Mondays … Forget it. Drive on.
Good advice. When things keep going wrong, that’s about all you can do is just keep moving forward.
I used to have those days…then, we retired. Wish I’d known about FIDO when I was working! Hope your days just get better and better. With Lilly as your constant companion, how could the little things matter, eh? She is such a dear!
I am having one of those Mondays. Thanks for putting it all in perspective for me… I tend to get cranky and nervous when bad things start mounting up. I’ll remember this the next time that crap happens.
(BTW, e-mailed you back last night with the details of our escapades. Thanks again.)
That really is great advice. Last week I was feeling a little frustrated, a little anxious, and for some reason, reviewing and critiqing decisions I had made and just generally down on myself. Woulda-shoulda-coulda is not a great mindset and I was running myself ragged over these small, insignificant blunders. Sometimes I get stuck on those things and FIDO is a great philosophy to get me moving again.