Stress

One of the dire problems facing our society is stress. We find stress just in going about our lives … getting to work, doing the work, getting home … even trying to have fun is stressful.

And, of course, all this stress is not healthy. Doctors tell us we have to eliminate stress from our lives, that it causes or aggravates other medical problems.

Doctor:

The tests show that you have cancer. Try to relax.

This stress is so prevalent that people now take classes in how to relax. One of the more popular techniques is mindfulness, which is another way of saying “pay attention, for chrissake.”

Seriously, the central idea of mindfulness is just being aware of what’s going on around you … the sights, sounds, smells, etc. No less a newspaper than the mighty New York Times has a regular column on mindfulness that actually tells you what to notice in different situations: Feel the water as it hits your body … When you exit the shower, dry yourself.

Where would we be without the mainstream media?

Here’s a simple step-by-step procedure that could greatly benefit most of us as individuals, and society as a whole:

1. Put down the goddamned phone.

There. You immediately start to notice things. Hmmm. Smell that coffee. Hear all those birds. Who knew there were so many birds around here? Wow! Look at those people pointing and yelling. Hey! See that bus coming this way!

Now don’t you feel better already?