Yesterday, in my Coping and Healing group, people talked about catastrophes. The discussion included experiencing the common human tendency for catastrophizing in the midst of actual catastrophes.
In case you’re not sure about the difference between catastrophizing and catastrophes, here’s my song “Catastrophizing.”
.
Because we tend to catastrophize and imagine the worst case scenario (no matter what’s going on) as a way to prepare for and survive the worst, this can exhaust us when we’re dealing with real catastrophes. On the other hand, many people report becoming calm and focused when catastrophes strike, becoming overwhelmed with anxiety later.
The challenge for us is dealing with extended, elongated catastrophes that have confusing or unknown results.
What catastrophes do you see in my images for today?
.
What are your thoughts and feelings about catastrophes?
Thanks to all who help me get through catastrophes, including YOU!
The situation in Gaza is a catastrophe, as is obvious to everyone. But it is a difficult one to talk about even with family members and friends, let alone to come up with solutions that would immediately help people there.
A catastrophe in so many ways, my friend.
I laughed out loud when I heard the FF’s Gaza proposal. Never gonna happen. Not even gonna begin. But then I remembered that that was the same reaction I had to the first news that we were going to invade Iraq.
The closest I’ve come to a personal catastrophe was the night when someone fell asleep at the wheel and nearly hit me head on. As it became clear that the driver was not going to pull back into his lane, I tried to go around him on the right, and almost made it, but he hit me on the front left corner of my car, spinning me back out into oncoming traffic. I remember hauling on the steering wheel and making for the right hand ditch, seeing a telephone pole on the other side of the ditch, straightening my wheel and cruising down the ditch at what seemed like 90 mph (wasn’t) straight at the concrete culvert just ahead. I remember braking slowly, and coming to a stop just a few feet shy of the culvert. That’s when I started shaking.
The other driver was long gone. Someone just behind him stopped to ask if I was all right and stayed with me until the state cops showed up. I wish I could say I will be that present of mind if/when the next one comes along.
Barbara,,! How terrifying!
I’m so glad you survived that near-catastrophe, Barbara.
I am a veteran. I have lived in an earthquake (and volcano) zone. I worked for a local government and part of my job was to be part of the group going in while everybody was rushing out, I am reasonably well prepped for catastrophes. While coaching a youth football team, a player was seriously injured during practice. I immediately took control of the situation and made sure everyone knew what I needed them to do. My assistant coaches (both veterans themselves) commented that they had never seen a layperson (non fire/ ems) person that calm in similar situations. Maybe it was all of the training and prep. Maybe I am just a level headed guy. Ahh… the former. I just dealt with it.
I am a take charge until otherwise relieved kind of guy.
I think that is what my wife really likes about me. When it comes to dinner or piddly daily issues, I could not care less. But when the feces is hitting the oscillating wind maching, I am cool and calm. Our biggest fights were over dinner and trivial nonsense. But when catastrophe/ emergency hit (and we have had our share), I was the one who took charge and made sure we got through it.
In Mark Twain’s “A Cat-Tale” he keeps referring to the dictionary to find words that start with “cat”. At one point he realizes he’s been using a word incorrectly and says “Mr. Webster is dead. Would that his dictionary were too.”
In college my friends and I would say “Webster’s dead” whenever anyone insisted on a strict dictionary definition of anything. Allowing flexibility prevents catastrophes.
I appreciate your flexibility in many categories, Chris.