All of this storm stuff got me to thinking. I know, I know… every time that happens I tread into dangerous, uncharted territory, but I’ve also got a lot of time on my hands, so these things will just happen. I was having a conversation with a friend recently where we were talking about various problems we face and the one thing I told her was, “Remember… these are high class problems… the kind that are almost nice to have.”
So what do I mean by a high class problem? Well, not really the Jay-Z style problem:
Although I suspect the problems Mr. Sean Carter faces these days are much more high class than he dealt with growing up.
I define a high class problem as the kind of problem that may seem like an issue… but really isn’t in the grand scheme of things. An illustration in thinking of myself since the “winter” storm Alfred hit. I lost power and was without TV, computer and heat. I also had to lift in my basement by candlelight. High class problems all. No one should shed tears for me since I have a HDTV, MacBook Pro and am fortunate enough to even have a gym in my basement to begin with. Or even the fact that my weightlifting of late has been pretty flat and I feel all banged up. High class problem. You get the picture.
There are 2 big challenges of the high class problem, as I see it.
First, even when you identify them, that doesn’t mean you instantly realize you shouldn’t be so concerned about them. We don’t always instantly shift into a state of epiphany. Well, at least I don’t. If you do… damn… please write a book on it. I’ll buy it.
Second, the realization of problems as high class can sometimes send us into a full-on state of guilt. Why? Because it’s easy to realize there will always be people out there worse off than us… so even having a moment to complain about a high class problem seems incredibly shallow. I think that’s being overly hard on yourself since we are just human after all… but at least taking the time to reflect on why your problem should not cause undue grief is probably the better path to walk.
If I seem a little fixated on the perspective thing of late, I probably am. Travel always does that to me, but the next would be down time without competing priorities. And that’s me right now. Fear not – I have an idea for another blog post to do in the next day or so. I might even be able to do it from my house without 15 layers of wool, fleece and blankets.
And even when you do have an epiphany, there’s no guarantee it’ll last long enough to achieve lasting change. But it’s all a process. For me, it’s getting frustrated with the whole single mom thing. I love my kids so much it hurts. I would do anything for them. But that doesn’t mean I never get pissed at them over stupid stuff. And as much as I beat myself up over my failure to be Mother Teresa, the reality is that my frustration and their behavior is totally normal. As is your frustration with how the weather has messed with your daily life. I guess my point is that it’s good to accept your feelings – and even the guilt about your feelings – because then it’s easier to let that stuff go in favor of a more balanced perspective.
Beautifully put, Jess. Owning/accepting our own feelings is a huge step to perspective.