Of his own initiative, Wildebeest spent part of his spring break with my mother in Florida.
They both had a great time.
When she called yesterday to say he was on the plane, she brought tears to my eyes
with all the wonderful things she had to say about him.
I was so proud of him.
Thirty minutes after getting home, Wildebeest got angry about something
and proceeded to lash out at his favorite target: me.
Without directly addressing my writing, he said just enough to get me doubting myself.
I started thinking I was delusional about having an actual writing career in which money is
part of the equation.
All those good feelings about Wildebeest disappeared.
All my confidence in myself was gone.
So who did I turn to?
This guy.
Stuart Smalley.
If you’re not familiar with this book, I can’t recommend it enough.
This is my dog-eared copy of Stuart’s (aka Al Franken) daily affirmations.
Stuart is a member of various twelve-step programs (OA, DA, Al-Anon, etc) but
despite his best efforts sometimes goes into Shame Spirals.
Stuart’s shame spirals usually result in him taking to bed with a case of Hydrox or
several boxes of Animal Crackers (the OA component at work.)
Stuart makes me laugh (every single time I read his affirmations), but he also
hits on some truths.
Last night this one resonated with me:
TODAY I AM A TOTALLY COMPETENT PERSON!
I feel strangely confident. Or strangely competent. Or just strange! Anyway, I’m taping today, and I feel good about it. But not cocky or grandiose. Steve calls it "delusions of adequacy." That’s a joke. It’s just that it feels like everything that’s ever happened to me has brought me to this moment. And I guess that’s something to remember. Which is that we can actually learn and benefit from all this bizarre stuff that happens to us. I am who I am, I don’t want to trade places with anybody, and my experience has made me stronger. I am in recovery, hear me roar!
Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book.
Tracy Abell 
Oh man, this is perfect! I love Stuart Smalley (I have a collection of postcards from him, but think the book may be even better…)
Last night, I had a similar experience to yours. Even after yoga, I was off-center. I’m working on recalibrating myself this morning, and this post really helps. Laughter (and the truths behind it) has a way of doing that, doesn’t it? THANK YOU!!!
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See? Stuart works miracles! Hope you find your center again very soon (bypassing the Hydrox, of course) and have a day filled with more laughter. Go, Melodye!
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Used to love watching him on SNL š
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Me, too. Do you remember the time he tried to tell a scary story for Halloween, something about something scary in the basement? And it turned out to be his drunk dad? I almost died laughing.
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I’m beginning never to believe words spoken in anger. When I think back on those instances, I see that more often they turn out not to reflect true feelings.
Can you believe Stuart Smalley is going to be a Senator?!!! How cool is that?
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I think you’re right about the words spoken in anger. I think he knows those particular words will hurt but I don’t think he really believes them (when he’s calm and thinking rationally).
I cannot wait for Stuart to enter the Senate! Norm Coleman is such a (INSERT ICKY NOUN) and I cannot believe how the “liberal” media is giving him a free pass on all his ridiculous challenges.
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Yes, I agree with Doc about the words spoken in anger. ((hugs))
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Thank you for the reassurance and hugs, Lizzy. Both are much appreciated.
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I’m beginning never to believe words spoken in anger. When I think back on those instances, I see that more often they turn out not to reflect true feelings.
Can you believe Stuart Smalley is going to be a Senator?!!! How cool is that?
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I’m glad you found something to make you smile! Love that last line, *chuckles*.
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It’s a challenge finding that smile buried beneath all that other crud, but so worth it when it happens. Glad Stuart made you chuckle, too.
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Ha!
Oh yeah, kids are great… in photos.
one of my darlings and I just had a few nice words.
YOU ARE A GREAT WRITER!!!
I met you at Really Unusually Competent and Cute Lady conference! : )
What could your darling know about writing, he is a hatchling.
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HA! You made me laugh and laugh, Laura. Thank you for that and for having my back in this whole mothering thing.
I like that “hatchling” approach and will keep that in mind. It’s hard to be mad when you’re using that word. š
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teens and dinos
remember dinosaurs were LARGE with small brains!
and some of them had their brains in their tail! hmmmm
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Re: teens and dinos
Perfect!
I’m going to make it yet, by golly!
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Ha!
Oh yeah, kids are great… in photos.
one of my darlings and I just had a few nice words.
YOU ARE A GREAT WRITER!!!
I met you at Really Unusually Competent and Cute Lady conference! : )
What could your darling know about writing, he is a hatchling.
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I think you’re right about the words spoken in anger. I think he knows those particular words will hurt but I don’t think he really believes them (when he’s calm and thinking rationally).
I cannot wait for Stuart to enter the Senate! Norm Coleman is such a (INSERT ICKY NOUN) and I cannot believe how the “liberal” media is giving him a free pass on all his ridiculous challenges.
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HA! You made me laugh and laugh, Laura. Thank you for that and for having my back in this whole mothering thing.
I like that “hatchling” approach and will keep that in mind. It’s hard to be mad when you’re using that word. š
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teens and dinos
remember dinosaurs were LARGE with small brains!
and some of them had their brains in their tail! hmmmm
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Re: teens and dinos
Perfect!
I’m going to make it yet, by golly!
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yes, I use that with chocolate ice cream š
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That sounds good, too.
Shelby still doing better?
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good luck with these teens years. The ups. The downs. Who else are they going to take out their own teen tensions on: good old mom. But I’m sorry, I know it stings. Esp. when they hit just when you’re glowing.
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I know you’re right about me being the safe one to take out all the tensions on, but geez….. sometimes I’d like a break. Thank goodness for Stuart. š
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That sounds good, too.
Shelby still doing better?
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