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Saturday, January 7, 2012

Strategies, not Solutions

I admit it: I don’t know many ways to solve problems anymore. I rely more on strategies than solutions. Sometimes they don’t work. But often they do.

Psychologically speaking, the following might fit into "escape-avoidance coping mechanisms" but most of them are fairly constructive with only a dash of self-punishment.
  • Taking a walk: ever wonder why we use the expression "take" when it's actually more of a gift?
  • The fireplace channel (or a campfire).
  • Beauty (people forget but it's everywhere).
  • Quoting Ron Burgundy: Sweet Lincoln's mullet! I'm in a glass case of emotion!
  • Old movies: Peter Sellers was a genius.
  • This app: it instantly changes my mood.
  • Expensive sheets: essential.
  • Deep fried chocolate bars (do add ice cream).
  • "Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life." ~Mark Twain
  • Thanks Twain: good friends and guiltless tomfoolery too.
  • Texting odd and random things to those good friends... I'm talking with some people--when exactly were you abducted by Gary Busey?
 What works for you?

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

DBS, I love this list. You really are a thinker/stewer. Particularly, I like the taking a walk approach to solving a problem. I also like to sleep on my problems; tuck them in tenderly, say a little prayer over them, and hope for the best. I often use wine but do not find it very productive, actually. It is more of a distraction than a problem solver. Music is good for problem solving. It's also good for enjoying wine, as it happens.

Rubye Jack said...

Taking a walk, kind of like taking tea. Whatever, both work.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

The fireplace channel is one of my faves.

Sub Radar (Mike) said...

That bloom app looks awesome, thanks for the heads up.

Alistair said...

To find structure and lose yourself in the beauty of a poem, knowing it may have touched countless others in the same way over years or centuries.

Having the weight of a pet on your lap or taking an hour to watch birds feed.

To look at the sea/walk the beach or shoreline.

To make soup.

Al Penwasser said...

Expensive CLEAN sheets.
Now THAT'S heaven.

roughneckturtle/Jeff C. said...

Nice, some good ways to cope. I'm always up for a campfire, well sitting actually. And, I plea that fifth on the Gary Busey thing...

ToBlog today said...

Fantastic list! Changed my mood just reading it, and decided on a little strategy of my own...check out my blog today. :)

karensomethingorother said...

dbs, my eyes lit up because I'm always saying that beauty IS everywhere too!

Contrary Guy said...

Patent "The Fireplace Channel"!

You never know.

Just SO said...

Right now it's books.

And I just don't understand that fireplace channel. I want a real one.

michael.offworld said...

Scheduling helps me. I plan my work days to the minute and now I'm starting to apply loose schedules to my home life. Trying to find time to do the important things a little instead of bitching about how little time I have (and end up not doing anything).

I downloaded bloom. Looks cool and might fit in very nicely to my scheduling shtick. I used another app called "Unstuck" last December. Got me thinking about strategies and doing instead of sitting around moaning.

Happy year to you.

wendy said...

Now, anyone who can quote Ron Burgandy is pretty awesome in MY book.
a walk ..a gift....love that
I WILL NEVER deep fry a chocolate bar.
love the quote by Mark Twain also

Mrs. Tuna said...

Reading blogs is very therapeutic for me :)

Antares Cryptos said...

Your blog.

Sultan said...

Is anything ever really solved?

PokerLawyer said...

Thanks for the tip to Bloom! Haven't tried it yet, but it looks very cool.

I always feel better after a walk, had sadly gotten away from doing that daily last year and just started back up again. It makes a difference for me.

You and your blog are consistently terrific - thank you!

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