The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.

Oh wise man, Theodore Rubin, American psychiatrist and author.

Big Scary Problems by Jonathan Burton

SO...to continue... What do you mean you haven't read yesterday's blog? Sigh. Here it is then. Catching up with Caroline

Me and being with the unpleasant in my life. Or rather, NOT being with the unpleasant in my life.

I avoid it. I'm rather good at that. I've been practising for more years than I care to count. Here are some hints so you can do it too:

1. Don't open letters that might contain something you don't want to face. Shove them under the tea towels in the kitchen drawer.

2. Don't answer the phone. Instead, let it ring then dial 1471 so you can be sure the call's not from someone you don't want to speak to.

3. If a row is brewing then there are lots of things you can do to avoid it:

• change the subject to something nice like fluffy kittens
• run out of the room, preferably slamming the door after you for best effect
• drink Prosecco (a lot)
• eat chocolate (a lot)
• withdraw completely inside your own head

by Reineke

 All this works very well...

BUT

none of these tried and tested methods do anything at all to deal with whatever it is that's bothering you. So whatever it is grows bigger...

and bigger

and bigger

when, if only you just dealt with it powerfully straight away, you'd realise that it was really nothing to worry about in the first place.

"You gotta face the hand you're dealt with and deal with it, and make your problems be the smallest part of who you are, " said Jack Gantos, and I wish it had been me.