Ok so. One thing I learned when studying public relations at NYU was that you shouldn't lie, or "spin" the truth to get the reaction you want. I actually don't want a reaction, but wish to enlighten you. In light of that, this morning's blog post is going to be straight from the heart, whether it is what you are expecting or not. Seriously, it has to get better than this.
Whether or not people will admit it, most of us are over worked, underpaid, ignored, berated, and/or exploited every single day on our jobs. As a result, I would not be surprised if more than half of people working are fighting some form of depression. As late as February 2011, it is recorded that there are over 45 million Americans with some form of mental illness including anxiety and depression. If you read the article attached to the link, you will see that is almost 20 percent of Americans who just "ain't right." How did we get this way? As of May 2011, depression alone was said to cause a loss of about 200 million workdays per year. That's a lot! That means that something is wrong. But yet, we shuffle along every morning, like dedicated indentured servants, and scurry to be in our places so that we can continue the facade of going through the motions as if we chose this for ourselves--all the while we are misunderstood, mistreated, undervalued, and we secretly despise our positions but cannot afford to speak up or quit.
Your morning commute plays a huge role in how you feel and whether or not you are enjoying your day, and thus, your life. I mean, think about it. Your morning commute is a daily occurrence. It's how you start your day. You do it often and willingly, even if it is horrible and has a negative effect on your life or health. It can go smoothly or it can make you very anxious. Let's face it. In good ole NYC it is more often the latter for many of us. The trains are never on time. There are service interruptions and delays. Sometimes the train sits in a station for 15 minutes or so, for no apparent reason, making you late to work or late for an important meeting or appointment. The train's conductor rarely offers an explanation. When your morning commute makes you anxious, excitable, or tense, it is considered a stressor. How you are able to handle the morning mishaps will determine your level of anxiety, and ultimately depression. Your ability to control your emotions about whatever is affecting you can help you manage the level of stress and anxiety you experience. Even if you cannot control the situation. Sometimes you just have to say, "I can only do what I can." And don't worry about it.
Some people are morning persons. God bless 'em. I'm not one of those people. For some of us, being up before 9:00 AM is one of the most painful things in the world. And for the record, when your happy, jolly 6:00 AM self skips to the Lu past us with your sunny, upbeat, morning attitude of joy and cheerfulness before we've had our "buck's", please know that we only picture that mack truck flattening you because we are sleepy, not because we want you injured...well, per say.
So today, my morning commute was normal, as normal goes. I wasn't running late, until the new bakery in my hood, Ye Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe, took forever to warm up a croissant for me. There was one person ahead of me waiting for their order when I arrived. Five minutes later, the "chef" walked out of the back with something wrapped in foil and handed it to my cashier who bagged it and handed it to me. I asked for Jelly. She asked if I could wait while she prepared some into a container for me because she was out of the packets in the front. (Um... IT"S MORNING! DO YOUR PREP BEFORE YOUR CUSTOMERS ARRIVE!) But I didn't let it bother me. I smiled and said politely that it was OK, but I had a train to catch. I walked gingerly to the station but had to slow it down behind a father and his two toddlers going into the train station. (Cute! But in the way...) Once I could make it around them, me and another running woman missed our train by seconds. I watched as it pulled away from the station as I reached the platform. I looked at my iPhone (watch, same difference) and saw that I was actually going to be late. I took a chance when I stopped at Ye Olde Bagel Shoppe, that they would be expedient and efficient, so I could not be upset. I arrive at work 10 minutes late and somewhat stress free. (I would have been completely stress free but you see, there are some nosy, busy bodies in my office who don't manage me and have nothing to do with me other than I say hello to them occasionally in the morning. Still, for some reason, they make it a point to tell me when I am late, as if I didn't notice. However, when they are late, or anyone they manage is late, they say nothing. Makes you wonder what the power trip is all about. But I don't let it stress me. I usually say something borderline smart-ass and keep it moving.) So I arrive and take out my croissant and stare at it. Ye Olde blah blah blah actually flattened it on a grill or something and saturated it with butter. It was disgusting. I had to throw it away. $2.00 down the drain. I wonder how long they will be there. Sadly, it is the only breakfast pastry bodega on the block. And so my day began. No, I didn't get a seat on the train until we were halfway here. And nothing phenomenal or amazing happened. Run, leap, push lady was already sitting down. I guess the most fantastic part of today's adventure was that I remained calm through it. I have my eyes on my goal and going through mediocre things to get to my job is only a means to an end. When I arrive in my truth, my career, I will do what I want and when I want. The world will be better off with me sleeping a little later too!
Lesson: Before you allow depression, discontentment or unhappiness to settle in, dream. Plan. Focus. Push yourself. Escape.
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