Montco Happening is proud to feature the work of Randi Rentz. The local teacher, resident, and breast cancer survivor has turned what was once an unimaginable diagnosis into a message of hope and strength for all of us to hear. We hope that you take the time to read her monthly articles for daily inspiration. Montco Happening would like to thank Randi for all the work that she does for cancer patients and families in and around our community. Click here to visit her website to learn more about her mission and to see first hand why she was voted BEST Blogger in Montgomery County in the Happening List 2015, and currently in the running again for 2016!!!
Should I or Shouldn’t I?
Hope you all are looking forward to Valentine’s Day! I’m a little chocolate’d out already, but have had lots of Shining Moments so far! So much so that I have decided to take weekends off to fully be present with friends and family to disconnect. It is for this reason combined with the fact that I have a dear friend who is in the middle of chemotherapy whose treatment is complicated by a severe case of “should-ing” that I have decided to post my anti-shoulding piece.
How many times in the course of the day do you say, “I should do this” or even “I should REALLY do that”?
Randi Rentz
Being of Jewish descent, ”Should-ing” is part of my DNA. So much so, in fact, that I practically had to recite “I should…” prior to my Bat Mitzvah. My earliest memories include being told that “You should this or that” at the age of 5.
Needless to say, I am (let me correct that: I WAS) a big “Should-er”. Day-in. Day-out. I was always saying, “I should go to this. I should be here. I should go there. I should participate in that. I should send the aforementioned.” Blah. Blah. Blah.
If you can’t relate to what I just said, then GOOD FOR YOU!
A dear friend introduced me to the concept of “Should-ing” on oneself. Sounds gross, doesn’t it? Well, when you think about it, the whole concept of “Should-ing” IS gross, not to mention bad for you.
Well, please allow me to encourage you from this day forward to stop “Should-ing” on yourself!
Now, let me be clear: there are certain things in the world that are not options, e.g., death, taxes, eating, breathing (in the reverse order, of course!) and reading to your children.
I also believe that being kind is a moral imperative that is non-negotiable.
Aside from these things, however, “Should-ing” does not make for a happy life.
Think about it: do you ever really feel better after doing something you feel as though you “Should’ve” done? I can honestly say that I haven’t.
I’m still getting used to this concept. Despite how much I love the idea of not “Should-ing,” I’m finding it to be a big transition (see DNA reference above!).
So, instead of “Should-ing”, I make decisions because they are the right ones. For example, I recycle because it’s the right thing to do. I send a thank you note (or a small gift) because it’s the right thing to do. I exercise regularly because it always makes me feel better.
It’s almost as if “Should-ing” is seeing the glass half-empty; whereas doing something because “it is the right thing to do” is seeing the glass half-full, which is the Shining Moment way to see things, if you ask me.
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