Licking the Razor's Edge (2015)

We are told over & over again that we are “only human”; that we should just “grin and
bear it”; that we are not powerful enough by ourselves to stop our world from “going to
hell in a hand-basket” … At the same time, we are also told that we are essentially alone
in this cold, bleak world, and that each of us is responsible for taking care of our own
needs and satisfying our own desires.
Many people have chosen to accept this version of the Truth – many have chosen to view
life as something that is very, very serious – so much so that a bleakness has begun to
regularly dominate their lives, sometimes without their even being aware of it.
In essence, for many of us, seriousness has become an addiction.
RECOGNIZING YOUR ADDICTION to SERIOUSNESS
While it is important to recognize the choices in life that are “Important”, and while it is
equally essential for us to approach such events with earnestness & sincerity, such a
mindset does not require us to have an outlook on life that is glum or harsh or grim.
Indeed, when we judge a challenge or even a crisis negatively – when we approach it too
seriously, we actually inhibit our ability to find an effective solution for the same.
So, if being earnest and sincere is recommended, and being “too serious” about life is
detrimental, how can we tell the difference? For starters, consider the following
questions:
*When someone makes a joke about you, do you take it personally and get miffed or
upset?
*When you feel that the task at hand is “very important”, do you feel as though you
“have to get finished” before you can move on to another one?
*Do you follow a rigid routine &/or have difficulty saying “yes” to spontaneous
requests?
*Do you take on projects that could easily be delegated to other, equally-qualified
people?
*Do you believe that the world is a dangerous place?
*Do you get irritated or depressed when watching the nightly news?
*Do you laugh less than five times a day?
*Do you believe that life requires a “balance” between good times and bad times?
*Do you argue about political issues, politics or politicians?
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