When you are not honoring the present moment by allowing it to be,
you are creating drama. – Eckhart Tolle
I like a good drama as much as the next person. Intrigue, passion, mystery – what’s not to like? But when I say I like drama, I’m talking about fiction, not real life. When it comes to real life drama, I don’t want any part of it.
Drama is toxic. Even if you’re not a drama queen, you’ll still be affected by drama around you. Maybe you have a friend who always seems to be in one crisis or another. Maybe you’re the person everyone comes to with their problems. Or maybe you have a tendency to turn small problems into much larger ones.
Drama can be anything from gossiping to constant complaining to being unkind to another person. Drama feels heavy, suffocating and constricting. And it’s highly seductive, because once you engage, it becomes difficult to escape.
Regardless of what the level of drama in your life is, I guarantee you that any amount of drama is damaging to your soul. Unfortunately, not getting caught up in drama, even someone else’s, is harder than it seems.
Why is it so challenging to disengage from drama? It’s because drama queens are energy vampires. They’re the complainers, passive-aggressives, and doomsday predicters in your life. Like vampires, they feed off the life force of others around them, and they would love nothing better than to turn you into one of them. Misery loves company. And once you engage with one, their icky energy will contaminate your own energy field, unless you’re very careful about protecting yourself.
If there’s drama in your life, you need to take a good look at yourself – because chances are, on some level, you’re creating it. Are you looking for some excitement in your life? Did you grow up with lots of drama, so being around it feels comfortable? You may be surprised at the answers to these questions.
Make a conscious choice to disengage from the drama in your life. Don’t participate in gossip. Don’t feed into other peoples’ drama. Reconsider unhealthy relationships and get rid of the energy vampires in your life, or limit contact with them as much as possible. If there are people in your life who thrive on drama, let them know you’ve made a decision to not participate any longer, and invite them to do the same. Communicate honestly and directly with others.
Cats don’t like drama, either. They prefer life to be peaceful. They’re sensitive to the energy around them, and they tend to take on their human’s problems, sometimes, in an effort to heal them. That’s not only an awful lot of hard work for a cat, it’s also detrimental to their well-being.
You may never be able to completely eliminate drama from your life, but you can choose to not play the game. I guarantee you that your life will be more peaceful. And so will your cats’ lives.
I never realized how well cats tune into our emotions until my beloved Maxximus dies 2 years ago and both Chelsea and Charlie grieved with me. At one point when I sat on my bed sobbing uncontrollably Charlie came over to me and put his paws on my knee, to calm me down I guess. I always try to present a calm and quiet asttitude around them which is good for me too since I spend my days busy and hectic but when I come home I’m done with all that, for their sake as well as mine. Cats are so good at calm.
I agree, Monica: cats always remind us how much better we feel if we remain calm.
As always, some sage advice from a truly “conscious” human! Thanks for not only informing us, Ingrid, but also teaching us and inspiring us.
Thank you for your kind words, Will.
Yes, drama is everywhere, and no less in the animal rescue community, where keeping focused on animals’ needs is critical for they have no recourse themselves but we all believe we know their needs best and rarely compromise. We have a long way to go in this area.
I hate drama, gossiping and rumor spreading at work or anywhere in life. My cats hate it too. I don’t engage in it and think it is really mean and is most if not all times untrue and hateful. It doesn’t help a frustrating situation improve or help anyone.
Wise words, Cynthia.
What a great photo!
You’re right, drama is everywhere, and it’s easy to be swept up in it without even realizing you’ve done it. But it’s always better to spend energy and time more wisely than on drama. There’s only so much of either one to go around!
Yes Ingrid, some really great advice!
I do hate to know there have been issues around you.
I have found as helpful as I always try to be….and neutral, it always seems best to not get sucked into the drama. Life has a way of sorting things out… even without my help 😉 Stay centered…stay drama free and wishing you a peace filled week!
You are so right, Toni – life always has a way of sorting things out. Thanks for the good wishes. You have a wonderful week, too!
Well said. And if I may not be politically correct to felines, I worked at a cat rescue and there was a lot of bickering and drama like you said. A young man who was doing community service and helped clean up after the adoption fairs. He once said to me after a long day, “Not all the cats are in the cages”.
Hope you and your community have a reasonably quiet month. Kathy
Sadly, I’ve seen this dynamic in some rescue organizations, too, Kathy. That young man nailed it! 🙂
Some good advice. I try to avoid drama too. Have a great week.
Sue B