Reason to be grateful.

Most of my stress is self-induced. Yes, I create my own stress. By wishing for outcomes. That will please me. And put me at ease. But if things go awry.  It’s not so much that the outcome may displease me. But rather the stress of waiting for the outcome. For instance, I’m waiting for the score of the Cubs baseball game.  Silly stuff. Not a life or death matter. Yet I feel stressed out. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Knowing at the moment that the game is tied. In the 15th inning. I’ll be disappointed if the Cubs lose.  But worse, I’m in a state of high anxiety. Waiting for my fervent wish to come true. Here it is, after midnight. I’m not listening to the game. Because that would be far too stressful. I periodically check the score on the Internet. And I’m putting off going to bed. Waiting for the result. When I’d be better off. Checking the score. When I get up after daybreak.  Instead, I’m waiting, waiting, waiting. Under self-induced stress. Because I’m addicted to the Chicago Cubs. Maybe I should go in for treatment. Oh, it’s so stressful. I need help. I just checked on the score. Game still tied. In the 18th inning. If I had any sense, I’d go to bed. And make an appointment. For psychotherapy. I’ve got to kick this addiction.  By the way. There was no consolation. The Cubs lost the game. In the 18th inning. I’m telling myself. It’s just a baseball game. That lasted for over 6 hours.  Anyway, it’s a long baseball season. Time for a better tomorrow. And time for a reminder. The Cubs won the World Series last year. Reason to be grateful.  --Jim Broede