Lighten up, Francis.
Why we need to stop taking things so seriously, especially ourselves.
An excerpt from a recent journal entry of mine.
Time to lighten the load and focus energy where it is deserved. This also means I need to lighten up. I need to stop taking myself and certain situations so seriously. Time to step back, breathe, and see things for what they are. Most situations in my life that cause me stress aren’t that important when I really think about it. Or, they’re certainly not important enough to get frustrated, cause stress, and or ruin my mood. Time to lighten the load and more importantly, lighten up.
We’ve all heard the following phrases…
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
What - me worry? (if you know, you know)
And my personal favourite…
Don't worry, be happy. (please watch the video, I guarantee it will make you smile)
A matter of perspective.
When we begin to live our lives more consciously aware of our emotions and the things that drive those emotions, we’re able to pause for a moment to gain perspective. That’s all it is really. A matter of perspective. A moment to step back and see a situation from a different angle. Perhaps we’re even able to see this situation (or person) against the backdrop of our lives, giving us a clearer picture of its importance (or lack thereof) in comparison to our existence as a whole.
Think of all the things that trigger us throughout the day. Things that trigger a response of anger and frustration, causing stress and anxiety. And how many of those things (and people) deserve our time, energy, and attention? Seriously. Step back for a moment and think of the things that upset you.
There’s a quote by the Stoic Seneca I read the other day that was very appropriate considering my journal entry. “We should take a lighter view of things and bear them with an easy spirit, for it is more human to laugh at life than to lament it.”
Think about that for a moment. “It’s more human to laugh at life than lament it.” More human, eh? Whether my lightheartedness makes me more human is debatable, but I like the sounds of that. I want to be more human in my life. Especially when it comes to the things that seem to cause me to feel frustrated or even angry.
Be more human! Laugh at yourself! In the immortal words of Sgt. Hulka, “Lighten up, Francis.”
Being able to laugh at myself gives me the freedom to live without fear or trepidation. It helps me shed the shackles of perfectionism which is really grounded in insecurities. This gives me the wherewithal to stop worrying about what other people think of me. It also gives me the ability to step back and gain perspective. All of this helps me to write, to express myself freely, and live life unburdened by the things that, simply put, don’t matter that much.
When we lighten the load and let go, we are also increasing our capacity to focus our time, energy, and love on the things and the people that matter the most. This allows us to take seriously the things that are serious. We only have so much time, energy, and love to give. It’s a choice we all have to make. So, choose wisely.
From Seneca to Sgt. Hulka, all the great philosophers, sages, and sargeants say the same thing. So, the next time your stuck in traffic or someone is rude to you and you can feel the frustration build inside, just whisper to yourself “Lighten up, Francis.”
Invitation
Thank you for taking the time to check out my Substack. I’ll be posting more content and sharing my thoughts on all things related to the human experience as well as topics focused on men’s health and well-being. If you’d like to know more about me, my coaching practice, upcoming workshops, or you’d simply like to connect, feel free to reach out to me directly at joe@unum1.ca. Or, visit my website for more info.