Tis the season when the feeling of stress and overwhelm may find us in a lower mood. I am reminded of this story from The Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander.
“Two prime ministers were sitting in a room discussing affairs of state. Suddenly an aide bursts in, shouting, stamping and banging his fist on the desk. The host prime minister quietly said, ‘Peter, kindly remember Rule Number Six.’ Peter was instantly restored to complete calm, apologized for the interruption, and left the room. The prime ministers resumed their discussion. Several minutes later, another aide rushed in, shouting and stamping. Again the host prime minister quietly said, ‘Marie, please remember Rule Number Six.’ Marie calmed down immediately, apologized, and left the room.”
“The visiting prime minister said ‘I’ve seen many things in my life, but never anything as remarkable as this. Tell me, what is this Rule Number Six?’ The host prime minister said, ‘It’s really very simple. Rule Number Six is Don’t take yourself so damn seriously.’ After a moment of pondering, the visiting prime minister inquired, ‘And what, may I ask, are the other rules?’ ”
“The host replied, ‘There aren’t any.’ ”
It is my wish for all that if you feel stress and overwhelm during this wonderful season and beyond, kindly remember Rule Number Six. My how we can all take ourselves too seriously, thinking about ourselves so much that we lose all perspective. Me too!
May the sheer Joy of the special Holidays fill you with childlike wonder and smiles!