The Fool in Me
I‘ve been under a lot of stress these past several months, more than the level I normally carry, and it’s taken its toll on me. One of the bi-products of too much added stress is greater difficulty managing it. As a result, my muscles have become more tense (and stay that way to the point of pain and fatigue), I can’t relax or sleep, and I’ve become my “other” self, the serious, brooding one even I don’t enjoy.
Last evening I was reminded of something Dr. Theodore Rubin once wrote:
“I must learn to love the fool in me — the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, humility, and dignity but for my fool.”
Stress is exhausting and deadly. I need to become reacquainted with my inner fool.
Doug
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Reader Comments (12)
You are right to say that stress is a killer. Do whatever you can to relieve it! Your inner fool? Let him out!
I have one in me too, but mine seems to be out most of the time. I rarely ever see the serious part of me. Guess I need more balance in my life. (Heh)
At least you're my fool. I love ya Hon! Let it out - I'll join you!
That I am and it's what makes the world go 'round for me. What would happen if we unleashed both our fools at the same time? Let's find out!
Unleash the Fools!!!!
I love this quotation. What is it from?
Sara, it's from a book by Dr. Theodore I. Rubin titled Love me, love my fool: thoughts from a psychoanalyst’s notebook (McKay, 1976). I'm not sure if it's still in print. You might check Amazon.
Dr. Rubin is a psychiatrist and has written several books on the subject.
Um, Doug, did no one notice that this article is dated tomorrow?
Hey Ben! Thanks for pointing that out! See what stress is doing to me? I had this post "in the hopper" for tomorrow and accidentally scheduled it for this morning. I can't change it without screwing up the search engines, so let's hope no one else notices.
Hey, take care of yourself Man! Whatever you need to do to get away from stress, do it!
A wonderful quotation. I echo the previous commenters; take care of that stress. It contributed to the death of my grandfather so I know first hand how insidious a killer it can be.
Hey Bro (literally),
Chill out. Sounds like a visit to Michael's for a glass of Blue Label and a Gurkha Symphony may be in order. Or maybe a Margarita at the Gaylord...