Drama
How many times have you heard someone say – I don’t want any drama in my life. That is a very trendy term right now and if you or someone you know is single and dating – that is tossed around like please and thank you!
Everyone claims to hate drama but somehow we find ourselves in it way too often. Some of us are drama junkies and thrive for it as it gives us a sense of importance. Some us create it and then swoop in as the savior to “fix” whatever caused it. How would you like to learn how to navigate through drama with ease?
What is drama? It is defined as a situation that involves conflict leading to a climax.
Wow. Does that change your view of drama already?
We all know someone who seems to attract drama. Usually these people don’t really want that in their lives but due to some underlying trauma they have experienced in the past, the drama is like a comfortable place for them. They relive the trauma over and over through drama filled episodes and some of us get caught up in it again and again.
Drama in adults can be compared to the terrible twos. Some toddlers haven’t developed their communication skills when dealing with conflict and will typically act out with a temper tantrum. Imagine an adult who is unable to regulate their emotions and handle conflict and they act out with an adult temper tantrum that may include backstabbing, gossiping, and verbal abuse.
Drama exists in the movies for a reason – it is entertaining. It gives us a distraction momentarily. We are attracted to drama in the movies much like we are attracted to it in the real world even if we claim we aren’t. Drama is caused by a distorted thought and we always have the option, the choice, to engage or disengage in the events about to unfold. If you want to make the choice to not engage in dramatic events, take these two ideas of under consideration:
- Stay away from distorted thinking and distorted thinkers is a start. If you don’t feed the beast, it will go somewhere else to eat.
- When someone is unloading on you, listen. Just listen. They are looking for an ear not your opinion. This will keep you from engaging in the situation, which can escalate the problem. Don’t talk – don’t discuss – don’t look for a solution. Let the energy die down before engaging in any conversation.
- Pay attention to what you pay attention to, because that’s what you give power to. If you pay attention to drama you attract more drama into your life.
- What things are you doing, saying or thinking that may be contributing to drama in your life at any level. With awareness can come change. If you don’t like the drama in your life, start doing, saying and thinking differently.
As many of us have heard, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” If you don’t like what you are experiencing in your life, YOU need to change. You will have greater success in changing yourself than you will have in trying to change others. Simply put, control what you can control and let go of the rest. Thanks for reading.
-Dr. Doug
