Things could be worse, or better

There’s a scene in Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” where Gene Wilder, as Dr. Frankenstein (“Frannken-steen, not Frankenstein”) and Marty Feldman, playing Igor (“That’s eye-gore, not Eegor!”) are digging up a grave. It’s a miserable assignment as you might expect.

After they have hefted the old, decaying wooden casket from the dirt, Frankenstein turns to Igor, exhausted, breathing heavy, filthy, and exasperates, “What a miserable job.”

Igor, ever the optimist, replies, “It could be worse.”

Dumfounded, Frankenstein questions him, “How?”

“It could be raining.” Cue the thunder and the downpour.

When you’re watching it on the screen, you can’t help but laugh. You know it’s coming, but it still causes a chuckle. Real life? Not so funny. I’ll be honest. I’m having a rough time this year. On top of the whole pandemic, can’t get away, stuck at home, economic collapse, climate crisis, political upheaval thing, we found out some extremely distressing news about a family member, our eldest cat passed away, money is tight — and now our dog seems to have contracted some out-of-the-norm stomach issue.

I know I’m not alone. As sure as you’re reading this, you and I could probably get into an aw-ain’t-it-awful competition. It’s happening to everyone. Everywhere. Non-stop. It feels like we’re at the end of a rockslide protecting ourselves against an avalanche of falling boulders with our sole protection being sheets of cardboard. It’s all handson-deck, head down, one-step-at-a-time keep plodding ahead to the other side.

My mother used to say adversity makes you grow. But she would immediately, follow that with, “But my head is already scraping the ceiling.” Yep, true that. Again, I know I’m not the only one feeling the same way. You can feel the energy if you put a mask on long enough to step outside.

That said, within the last few days, I was reminded of differing perspectives, coming from — of all places — social media, not usually known for being a source of positivity.

Floating through cyberspace is a meme reminding us that if we think we had it bad, imagine our ancestors who were born in 1900. They went through World War I starting in 1914; the Spanish flu pandemic from 1918-1920; the (first) Great Depression starting in 1929; the rise of the Nazis four years later; our entrance into World War II in 1941; Korean War in the ’50s; Cuban missile crisis in 1962; the assassination of two Kennedys and Dr. King; the whole tumult of the late ’60s — including Vietnam which stretched into the mid-’70s. Moreover, they did it all without radio or television at first, the internet at all, or cell phones ever. Our grandparents and great-grandparents, while being supportive I’m sure, would laugh at what we’re doing through.

If that’s not enough to change perspective, I caught this on Facebook: “Did you really have a bad day or did you have 1020 minutes where you let your thoughts run undisciplined which led you to a bad vide that you let carry you away. Come on … you run this thing. Pay attention.”

When I can slow myself down long enough to take a deep breath, I remind myself that I’m safe when I stay home and self-isolate. There’s food on my table. I have a relationship that’s supportive. Money is continuing to flow. There’s entertainment and education at the 24-hour ready. When I get overwhelmed, I’ve got a device in my pocket that can — in seconds — reach anyone, anywhere on the planet.

Many do not. Those who came before survived and they certainly didn’t.

I’m not saying everything is roses, butterflies, rainbows and unicorns. I’d be lying to both of us. Quite frankly, things suck. Yet, there are moments of light if we’re willing to seek them out and remember. And reality is that things could indeed be much, much worse.

(Listening for thunder…)

I’m not saying everything is roses, butterflies, rainbows and unicorns. I’d be lying to both of us. Quite frankly, things suck. Yet, there are moments of light if we’re willing to seek them out and remember. And reality is that things could indeed be much, much worse.

Scott “Q” Marcus is a professional speaker and founder of www. ThisTimeIMeanIt.com, where he can be contacted for coaching, consulting, and presentations. During this social distancing period, he is conducting monthly online workshops on setting goals and getting past what holds you back. Find out more at www. ThisTimeIMeanIt.com/ intentions