Frustration is a Terrible Emotion

I don't let myself feel it. If I hear myself thinking "I'm so frustrated," I immediately put the brakes on it and restate the feeling. I'll let myself be annoyed, tired, momentarily thwarted, lacking momentum, or not sure what to do next, but I won't let myself be frustrated.

Here's why. The definition is "a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems."

Dissatisfaction in itself is not so bad. That feeling prompts us to change and improve our situation. But anxiety and depression are two emotions that can suck away our will and ability to do something.

If I believe I have an unfulfilled need or unresolved problem, feeling frustrated about it means I believe I am helpless to fix it. It is a form of giving up, perhaps because someone else should do something about it.

Well, I am the only person I can make do anything. So if a need isn't met, or a problem isn't solved, that's my own fault. I can't feel frustration because I have the power to address the issue.

Even if I realize that I may have no control over a problem, I still have the ability to be pragmatic and not waste brain power worrying about it. That dissolves any frustration I might think I feel.

What Ben Stein Said at Fresno State

Tonight, Ben Stein addressed a sell-out crowd at Fresno State on what's ruining America and how to save it. First, let me say that the very dry and wry delivery you've seen on TV is not an act. Second, I hope that Mr. Stein is not the last speaker to address this issue in Fresno.

His presentation was powerful and disturbing. Here's the summary:

• America is currently being run by a kleptocracy consisting of Wall Street execs, corporations, government officials, speculators, and anyone else who could get their hands on large sums of money.
• These people (the kleptocrats) have no ethical foundation and see us (the common working people) as "targets" to be looted and fleeced for everything we have. They do not see us as human beings, so they do not care what the consequences are to us.
  
• If America is to survive, we much see each other as helpers to our fellow citizens; we must care for each other and insist that other people do the same.
• The best investment right now is the belief in the worth of other human beings.

Unfortunately, Mr. Stein says the best solution is to correct our monetary policy, which is still in the hands of the kleptocracy. Besides never voting for an incumbent again, I'm still not sure what else we the people can do.

Well, I know one thing: the easiest way to see other people as worthy human beings is to get to know as many people as possible. Sounds like more networking is a big part of the solution!