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  • Stress blog

  • June 1, 2011

    Look forward, not backward, when things go wrong

    By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

9 comments posted

We live in a world driven by technology. Regardless of where we call home or what we do to make a living, we can't escape the digital world — or its frustrations. Let me explain.

Need more help?

If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Go to the nearest hospital or emergency room
  • Call your physician, health provider or clergy
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    www.nami.org
    1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Like most people, I have become completely dependent on my smartphone, which I sometimes think is smarter than I am. A week or so ago for reasons that remain unclear, my smartphone froze up. I was unable to send or receive calls, texts or emails. With a complex schedule and numerous commitments, I found the situation frustrating to say the least.

A superb tech specialist sat down with me and walked me through how to resolve the problem. My initial question was, "How did this happen and what did I do to cause it?" My wise colleague gently reminded me that we could spend a lot of time trying to sort out what happened, but the time might be better spent trying to fix the problem.

As I mused on his comment, it made me think about life. Rather than focusing on the past and who did what to whom and what went wrong, it's far more profitable to spend your energies on fixing the problem. Helpful advice, don't you think?

9 comments posted

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MY01772 June 1, 2011

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