When an event or person does something upsetting, there is a natural tendency to want to rant. Joe Rutland talks about this pattern of behavior and a possible solution.
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I get perplexed at times about my life and what is taking place because the “I should have it all figured out by 50” tape starts playing in my head.
Yeah, I know … it only happens to me.
Getouttahere! ☺
You’ve heard the old adage of not talking about “the big three” when among others. Those three are, of course, politics, religion and sex. Funny, though, how many words are written, spoken or even cursed regarding them all. Have you ever stopped yourself in the middle of a rant, like when you are in your car or shower and going all Ratso Rizzo (“I’m walkin’ here!”) on yourself and wonder, “What the hell am I ranting about?”
Ranting is a great stress reliever. It also works the other way, too, and causes more heartache and heartbreak than one knows. Maybe the rant solution should be to follow The Marshawn Lynch Experience. By now, you are aware of the Seattle Seahawks’ star running back’s spoken word actions when being around media members during the week leading up to Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Ariz. (right up the road from my posh, affluent bachelor pad … yeah, it’s my dream, damn it!). Lynch responded to reporters’ questions with sayings like “I’m just here so I don’t get fined,” and others. Everyone from Super Bowl halftime performer Katy Perry to golfer Tiger Woods, who needs more practice after his horrific showing at the Phoenix Open last week, borrowed Lynch’s phrase.
I like his “I’m just ‘bout that action, boss” myself. Funny, though, he sure does love his Skittles and playing video games. Maybe he is “just about all that action.”
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Does turning 50 give me the right to rant? I don’t think so. It looks so inhumane to myself and really harms only one person … me. Plus, I’d think that I would have learned enough after all the soul work that I’ve done in the past decade-plus to cool the hell down more. My emotional state is not always the best. It’s better, yet I also could use some more practice time, too.
Move over, Tiger.
By the way, if you believe ranting is simply for men, then think again. I’ve seen plenty of women get down and dirty with the rant scene.
Yet this ranting stuff really comes out of unresolved emotions. I’m going with this, so just play the home game with me. If someone is pissing me off, then it is not that person’s “stuff” that is going on here. It is mine that is lighting up my insides like a Christmas tree.
Jesus, how painful I must feel deep within my tissues to carry on at a great rate. I live alone (have for too many years of my life) and I can just imagine my girlfriend looking at me in a ranting moment and going, “I’m outta here. He’s nuts.” Of course, that’s me projecting stuff upon her. Not fair, I know.
I get the great chance to look around and watch others join The Rant Race with me. Watch those debate TV shows. My gut says this type of television really picked up its pace when CNN started Crossfire in 1982 with Patrick Buchanan, a conservative, and Tom Braden, a liberal. Both would grill guests for the majority of the show, and then spend the last 3 minutes offering their own opinions about the guest and topic.
But I’ve reached my crossroads with ranting. I am ready to give it up, surrender, waive my white flag and turn the other cheek.
What if someone is a blabbermouth? I can’t rant about that?
No, it is not gentlemanly.
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You want to rant? Then go right ahead. Use up your emotional and spiritual energy until you are looking in the mirror and shaking uncontrollably.
Think and feel around these quick ideas on how to stop that infernal ranting:
One, simply don’t let thoughts creep inside between your ears that cause you pain. Some people have no problem with this because they have faith in God or The Universe or whatever and can say “Here God, you take this situation. I cannot handle it on my own or through my thinking.” Choose different thoughts and see how that mellows out your inner ranter.
Two, prepare yourself for environments that can kick up uncomfortable emotions and feelings. For me, a trigger area for this is the workplace. I admit it. I let other people’s stuff creep in and I let it weigh me down. Seriously, bro. Yet by understanding where I am going and taking a damn minute to get grounded, centered and emotionally present … then that rant energy doesn’t get kick-started and I can make it through the night.
Three, make sure that you feel protected and safe. This might seem too simplistic, but individuals who might consider themselves “high feelers” need inner safety. There is a need for inner peace and sanity that trumps a lot of other stuff. Protection and safety … I wonder how many people grew up in non-protected and unsafe environments. My bet is there are too many to count.
I would encourage you to join me in the #NoMoreRant movement. This could turn ugly, though, with entrenched ranters looking down their noses at me and saying, “You were one of us. Why did you leave?”
Because … well … “I’m just ‘bout that action, boss.”
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Photo: David Goehring/Flickr