He Who Laughs Last...

I remember hearing a saying when I was a kid that "He who last laughs, laughs last."

I've seen that saying in a new way as of late. Let me explain...

Maybe it's just me, but life isn't fair.

I don't mean that in some whiny, 6-year-old-not-getting-his-way sense, but in a factual, where-the-rubber-meets-the-road sense. Regardless of how much "in control" of our lives we are, there are infinitely more factors affecting our lives over which we have zero control... Or even any influence! (That's no startling revelation, of course, but it's probably the best starting place for sharing my thoughts.)

In other words, life is inevitably riddled with disappointments, problems, & challenges. No sense fussing... Just face the facts. They're going to happen whether I like it or not, want them or not, deserve them or not, even earn them or not. Life is spelled L-I-F-E, not F-A-I-R!

So what shall we do? Shall we throw up our hands in frustrated futility? (That is, obviously, a rhetorical question... It's really not an option.)

All I can do is exercise my influence over those things I can control. While I have no control over the fact of unfairness, I do have control over my attitude about it!

It's my decision whether I focus on the problems or the potential. It's my decision.

And here's the thing that helps me through the problems: My attitude has a direct impact on the effect of the unfairness. The more I choose to have a good attitude, the less effect the unfairness has on me.

Now, listen: I'm no pie-in-the-sky idealist... I didn't say unfairness would have no effect. Only a fool believes as much! In fact, the unfairness may very well be devastating! (I've had a few of those!)

But if I choose to have a good attitude, both the duration & the depth of the "cut" are lessened!

So, I now see "He who laughs last" to be a comment about my attitude: If I choose to "laugh" through it--to persevere by choice with a good attitude to the end--then I will be far more likely to recover fully & to "heal" more quickly.

I choose to laugh... And I choose to last!