Diversions
I’M JUST SAY’N
CAROLYN MAGNER
Chasing happiness
Bummed-out reader wants a change
Dear Carolyn,
I see other people around me who appear to be content
and happy. I want to feel like that but all I ever feel is a
sense of misery. When I’m not bummed out, I’m worried
to death about the bills and the economy and finding the
next load. It feels like my mind is never at rest.
I would like to change. Where should I start?
Jim
Carolyn Magner is
not a professional
therapist, shrink or
even a very nice
person. Her advice
is meant to entertain
you, not solve your
terrible, desperate
problems. Email
Carolyn at cmagner@
randallreilly.com.
Dear Jasmine,
Sister got her bridezilla on. If you have already talked to her
and she won’t budge, then pull up your big-girl panties and go
to the wedding. Wear something fabulous, smile, have a good
time, enjoy your little flower girl and don’t let the ex own
your happiness.
I’m just say’n.
BEAU CAN’T PUT DOWN HIS IPHONE
Dear Jim,
You have already started! Just by saying you want to feel
better is a step in the right direction.
Consider the dog. OK, I know
I use that too much. So consider
URN THE
the cat or the hummingbird or
the crow. They don’t think about
CHANNEL ON
happiness or misery. They don’t
THOSE NEGATIVE
worry or fret or obsess. ObviTHOUGHTS AND
ously, humans have more going
on, but if you can let go of your
SUB IN A
worries and try to replace all that
GOOD BOOK
space with something else, you
can retrain your mind. It is your
OR SOME
thoughts of anxiety and fear that
HAPPY MUSIC
bring your mood down. Turn
the channel on those negative
thoughts and sub in a good book or some happy music.
Like anything else you do, with practice, you can achieve a
greater sense of peace.
Stay calm, carry on.
I’m just say’n.
T
.
Dear Carolyn,
My boyfriend prefers his iPhone to me. When we go out, he’s
on the phone, checking Facebook, texting friends, laughing
at emailed jokes. I’ve told him that I feel like he’s ignoring me
and that I find his behavior rude. He says he doesn’t mean
anything by it and keeps on clicking.
I’ve decided that I ought to just pull out my own phone
and sit there like all the other couples sitting around us. What
do you think?
Sylvia
Dear Sylvia,
I think you’ve lowered your expectations to the point where
they’ve already been met. You told him his behavior bothers
you. He continues the behavior. You want to know if you ought
to just give up your preferences and join the online party?
I think you are missing the point. If you are OK with him
not respecting your wishes, then certainly continue with
the relationship. This is not about technology; this is about
mutual understanding and respect.
I’m just say’n.
LACK OF THOUGHT
SISTER VIOLATES WEDDING PROTOCOL
Dear Carolyn,
My sister is getting married next month, and I am in a
bind. She hates my ex-husband, or so she says. He cheated
on me, gambled away our savings and was horrible to my
family. And yet, my sis invited him to the wedding. Her
explanation is that he is the father of her niece, who is the
flower girl. Um, what about me? The mother? Don’t my
feelings count?
He will show up just to spite me. I don’t think I can
handle this but my sister will be furious if I don’t come.
Jasmine
24 TRUCKERS NEWS JANUARY 2012
Dear Carolyn,
Sometimes I think you really push
the envelope with your advice.
Don’t you worry about what people will think?
Penelope
Dear Penelope,
I don’t worry too much about
what people think since they don’t
do it very often.
I’m just say’n.
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