I hope that last Murmur wasn’t too Polly-Anna of me, but in these tough times, it is soooo easy to become grim and angry.
I see it all the time. On our boards, on the TV, on the bookstore rack, and in everyday conversations. In addition to the grimness and anger there seems to be a tinge of fear and tone of bitterness. I see people thinking, talking and being kinda nasty. Grumpy, short, mean and intolerant to those around them. I see people wanting to lash out at someone and others becoming withdrawn.
Both are the result of feelings of impotence, helplessness and frustration, not to mention uncertainty, if not outright being scared. The uncertainty across the nation is palpable. I hear it and see it all around me.
That uncertainty has made us wary. We’re afraid to spend money. We’re afraid to we might lose our job, or not have enough to pay the bills in case of an emergency. Heck, a lot of folks worry if they’ll have enough to cover this month's bills.
I know I’ve cut back. I’m not buying like I used to. Not treating myself to little extravagances. I work so much, I rarely see a movie (and there have been many this year I wanted to see very much: Wolverine, Terminator, Transformers, Up, Ice Age, and many, many others). When I bought a bunch of books recently, I questioned myself afterward as to whether or not I should have spent so much. But you know what? I’m really enjoying those books.
And then when something goes wrong – the car breaks down, the refrigerator stops working, the washer conks out, the vacuum cleaner breaks – it all seems like one more crushing brick in a growing pile of bricks dropping on your head.
It’s one more thing that makes a gurgle in the pit of your stomach. It’s one more thing, big or small, you don’t want to have to deal with. It’s one more thing that makes you angry, sad and frustrated all at the same time. And it makes you ornery.
First, take a deep breath. Yeah, it sucks. Yeah, you don’t need another headache right now. Yeah, you’d like to scream, cry or punch someone.
Take another deep breath. It’s not the end of the world. Don’t blow it out of perspective and make it worse than it is. You’ll manage. It may be this way for a while. You might have to go without something for a while. You might have to sell something you’d rather not, or work an extra job, but you’ll manage. Be positive. People have struggled through a whole lot worse. Times are tough, you’re tired and you want it to stop. Me too. Believe me, I long for blue skies, goods times and 10 hour work days five days a week.
Right now, however, we all need to do what we all have to do to get by. It will get better. For now, try to focus on the things you do have. The little things that aren’t really so little and are truly important. Don’t snarl and sneer at the cashier who's moving slower than you like, smile and be patient or understanding. Greet strangers with a smile, tell a waitress or store clerk who was helpful or did a good job, or went that extra mile for you “thank you.” You’ll be surprised how much these things add up and not only make that person feel better, but helps you to feel better, positive, even joyful.
Hang loose. Stay frosty. Be kind. Enjoy your loved ones. And look around you, that beautiful sunset, rainbow and blue sky, that laughter bubbling out of your child (or any child for that matter), that smile back from someone you just thanked or paid a compliment is still free and quite priceless.
Lose yourself in a game with friends, drink in the laughter and keep your spirits soaring. Don’t give up on others and sure as heck do not give up on yourself. When you are feeling down, know that I appreciate and value every last one of you. Even you grumblers out there. Palladium fans are the greatest. And without you, Palladium Books would not exist. You’ve helped us build and keep something special alive. I’ll make you a deal: I won’t despair if you don’t despair. How’s that?
Life is what you make it. Make it worth living – not just for yourself, but for those around you. It’s actually easier than you think. And it starts with a smile.
Sincerely,
Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer, Game Designer & Optimist
Palladium Books®, Inc. – 28 years of RPG Publishing (and planning on 28 years more to come).
© Copyright July 20, 2009 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, Phase World®, Palladium Books®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars® and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Heroes Unlimited™, Beyond the Supernatural, Dead Reign, Warpath, Shemarrian Nation, Fleets of the Three Galaxies, Mysteries of Magic, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.
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