Shallow, healthy and happy

[Arcadian]

Am I the only one? I have reached pension age virtually unscathed by modern living, although having worked for a few multi-national companies I never played the corporate game, this allowed me to see my kids grow up and always be there for them. I have never suffered from stress, high blood pressure or any other illness associated with "getting on". In retirement I don`t spend my days on the internet looking for evidence to support any theories I may have regarding conspiracy theories, religeon or any other topic guaranteed to raise blood pressure. I have a couple of beers every day and a glass or two of wine with my dinner. Living in North Africa I look upon all the troubles in the UK with interest but without being affected. I visit my house in HH whenever I want and life is good. I don`t stress about what I cannot change. Am I the only one?

[richard]

Arcadian

You are of one the few that some (or most) of us envy

Enjoy your life my friend and forget about us stressed out majority and the worlds troubles

My de-stress is when I go back to my village in Isaan. Not a care in the world. Some would say I'm sticking my head in the sand. So be it

[MrPlum]

I don`t stress about what I cannot change. Am I the only one?

Good post and you seem to be living the 'good life'. The key is in that one sentence. '...virtually unscathed by modern living'.

I've met many people who have been affected by modern living and who suffer from stress, anger, depression and sickness as a result. I've met those who have been traumatized by war and those who have suffered at the hands of their partners. Rape victims, Vietnam vets, alcoholics, food junkies and more. Some of their 'wounds' are superficial and can be resolved quickly. Other times they require deeper work.

Rest assured that, if they could whistle a merry tune and shrug it all off, they would do so. It's not so simple.

I would say that 1/3rd of people have a natural tendency toward fear. 1/3rd anger and 1/3rd are generally well balanced. If you are one of those who, in response to life's storms, react with fear or anger each time, then your life will become miserable, your relationships unsatisfactory and your health will suffer. Those who do best, know themselves and adjust accordingly.

In my opinion the media plays a major role in shaping our perceptions. They could place a positive spin on their articles but they don't. Fearmongering and sensation drive traumatic world events deep inside us. They called the 90's the 'Age of Anxiety'. It hasn't gotten any better.

While my posts can be troubling, (they are designed to be), it isn't true that I spend all my time immersed in skull-duggery and decapitated limbs. I don't watch the news and if I do watch TV it is only sport. If I look stressed it's more to do with eye-strain than the material I read. Too many hours staring at a radiating screen is daft but we are all daft at times. I learned to cope with the negative long ago. In fact, if you hadn't noticed I even enjoy it.

Thais seem to do very well. They learn meditation in schools. If they did that in western countries we would all be much happier.

It is not true that you 'cannot change'.

Ask Gandhi.

[hhfarang]

I don`t stress about what I cannot change. Am I the only one?

Apparently! I'm just the opposite, I don't stress about things I can change; I just change them. I stress all the time about things I can't change like the value of the dollar and where the next war will be or even the weather!

[Homer]

My blood pressure was low before I retired. It dropped 20 points after six months and has stayed there. One of the best things about living in SE Asia is that the things I can not control are not immune to my input. Seems that any input I tried only made it worse for me. So, I learned to just let it go. Easier said than done and it took a while, but I like the results.

[migrant]

Great post! As others said its good to hear!!

I'm not a fearful or naturally stressed person, but being self-employed does bring its share of worries!!

Hopefully a couple more years.....

[jimmy40]

Well Arcadian, i envy your out look, i am always stressed it seems. I worry when i have money, i worry when i have not got any, I have worked under constant pressure for years, and i now have trouble just letting things go, like you seem to be able to do. I was once hospitalized for a panic attack, and i find i take the odd valium to calm down, so in conclusion you are very lucky