Are You Attending Your Own Pity Party?

Dear Honey,

Living in the West Bloomfield area, I see people who have so much more than I do in every way. Would you ever want to switch lives with anyone else?

Thanks,
Trading Places

Dear Trading,

I clearly remember being 25 years old and working with a gal named Diane who was a financially-struggling single mom with a daughter that had serious medical problems. Many of our clients were quite affluent and appeared to have effortless and glamorous lives. After hearing Diane talk about her situation, I asked her if she ever wished she could trade her difficult life for their easy ones.

She quickly explained to me that everyone has something. Some things you
can see, some you can’t and that no matter what, if everyone put their problems in the middle of the room, you would always take yours back.

That conversation stuck with me all these years. I’ve learned that everyone is normal until you get to know them. I grew up with girls whose lives I wished I had, and come to find out their childhoods were horrific. As an adult, I’ve seen marriages I’ve admired that behind closed doors were a nightmare. And people who had "everything" whose financial lives were in ruins.

By talking to people, and more importantly asking questions and listening to people, you can see how your experience (even in the worst case scenario) can be a benefit to other people. Diane was right. We all have
something. Remember, there will always be people with more than you and less than you. And things are not always what they seem.

So while I use to plan and attend my own pity party, I have come to understand that no one is exempt from heartache, disappointment and
pain. And that’s okay.

It's Not What Happens To You, It's What You Do About It

Each week, Laura "Honey" Solomon brings real-life practical solutions to the issues of divorce recovery, relationships, and time management for Patch readers. Her book Normal Life (Volume 1) is now out on paperback and available on Amazon.

Visit her website at wordofmouthconsulting.biz for more information.