The World is Full of Drama
“Life has no map; it’s made of random events, always caused by something beyond your control.” quote of Bangambiki Habyarimana, he is a community worker, working with young adults in the fight against HIV.
About twenty years ago, I did a YouTube video about Meryl Streep. At the time, I’d seen her in four movies, in just one year! My video was about how she is an incredible actress…but I joked about why is she in everything “Why Not Me? I said, half-joking on my video. I feel like drama seems to follow me, so I feel I could relate to the emotional depth she brings to her many many roles. Because I am starting to understand life’s complexities and emotional ups and downs of drama, and how they can uncover the fascinating narratives that make human experience so captivating.
As I enter into my 75th year, I’m struck by how often I can relate to people’s stories. When someone shares an experience, especially if it’s a young person telling me about a challenge or triumph, I have empathy. It’s like life is one big loop and the older I get the more I can see patterns play out. And I now realize the recurring theme of “We Don’t Learn From History” makes total sense. Because everyone has to experienced life for themselves.
Growing up, our dinner table conversations were all about my parent’s day. My dad shared work stories, and my mom dished out the latest gossip. I got sucked into the gossip vortex, feeling a little better about myself knowing someone else was in the hot seat. Since politics, sports and literature were never discussed at our diner the table, I assumed all families just shared gossip. So, I’d dish with friends assuming that’s what everyone did, until I realized not everyone was intrigued by my drama.
Life’s dramas often are resurrect of past conflicts and challenges. They are prompting us to draw upon our inner resources and library of experiences to navigate the present. Ultimately revealing true understanding and growth comes not from quick fixes, but from introspective exploration and self-reflection.
I used to believe tarot card readers held the answers, promising an easy fix. Just visit a reader, and let them validate your feelings. Then there’s therapy with psychologists, sociologists and psychiatrists where you actually unpack the issues yourself. But the thing is, life keeps bringing new challenges, and that’s where my library of experiences comes in handy.
Drama, is everywhere, I wonder what life would be like if we weren’t to some extent ‘Drama Queens, or Kings’. Drama can be seen as a way to add flavor and excitement to our stories. Think about it – our favorite shows, movies and books are all about drama! What would occupy our minds if we didn’t have conflicts that make us wonder what to do?? I feel these dramatic moments make us stronger and more aware of the world around us. However, to be able to resolve problems in life you need experiences to draw upon.
Drama has a way of pulling us in, convincing us we have to play every role. We are not Merly Streep’s, actors who can try roles on for a production but real skill isn’t fixing the scene, it’s learning when to step off the stage. Practicing detachment means watching the chaos without becoming part of it. When my life gets too heavy, I vent to my husband. His advice is always the same, “Let it go.” I’m still learning, because my instinct is to fixate and fix. But I’m finding that letting go isn’t giving up. It’s choosing peace over performance. And some scenes just aren’t worth the encore.