Side Effects

Advertisements for prescription medication include information about the risk of side effects that the medication may cause, while touting the benefits of the product. Some side effects are mild and others are severe.

A recent parody of this type of marketing recommended an alcoholic beverage to increase self esteem, combat shyness, and promote happiness. Possible side effects included talking too loudly, delusions of grandeur, inappropriate laughter, and table dancing.

Side effects usually are thought of as possible negatives that may accompany desired positive results. A side-effect is any effect other than an intended primary effect. It may or may not be expected, and it may be adverse or beneficial. Another contemporary term used for side effects is collateral damage.

Choices and decisions that impact our interactions and relationships also can have side-effects. When decisions are based on expediency, we first may be enamored with the benefits. We either may not consider possible side effects or downplay them. Some of these may be short term and worth the inconvenience. Others may damage trust and have long term implications. Sometimes it is difficult to determine what type of side effect a decision will have.

Sometimes we may find it hard to know what the right thing to do is. We can get caught up in what I call a 'guilt-rotation' in which we berate ourselves for all sorts of previous decisions, indecisions or missed opportunities, in other words past side-effects. After all of that it can be even harder to step out and take a chance on something new when it feels like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Even our worst experiences have some sort of purpose to them. We may have felt victimized by some of them, yet we don't have to think of ourselves as victims. Taking responsibility for our choices is a good step, but it also can be terrifying unless we've mastered forgiving ourselves as well.

We all wrestle with such feelings. Finding a way out sometimes means that we have to cut a new path through our own jungle, where the beasts can be pretty wild. Although side effects usually are thought of as negatives that may impact the results of larger benefits, the concept also can be applied conversely.

It is easier to banish a negative thought when we have something positive with which to replace it rather than leaving an empty spot. We can prepare by having a cache of joyful thoughts: something that brings joy even if it is as simple as a piece of favorite music called to mind or something funny that a pet did, or how good the shower felt. Whatever they may be, we can have them handy for balance and ballast.

What today will bring is unknown. However what we notice during this day will be based more on what is going on inside of us than outside. We can sensitize ourselves to good things by consciously noticing what is right in front of us that is good and positive and may be taken for granted.

Unsettling events that disrupt our lives may have positive side effects over time. These may be eclipsed by our tendency to react rather than respond. When situations out of our control seem to overwhelm us, we can still look for the side effects that may culminate in our ability to transform them.

Anticipate a great day. It’s Yours!nn©2007 Gail Pursell Elliott All Rights Reserved.

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