Stress and Stupidity

By January 25, 2010Uncategorized

Stress can bring out the worst in people, as exhibited by the inappropriate comments of Pat Robertson regarding the plight of the Haitian people after the devastating earthquake last week. The following is a reply to Mr. Robertson comments that I thought was just too good not to share. The ‘Devil’ Writes Pat Robertson A Letter: January 15, 2010.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune published a letter from Satan to evangelist Pat Robertson, responding to his comment that Haiti’s persistent troubles, including the earthquake, are due to a pact the nation made with Mephistopheles. Actually, it wasn’t Satan who wrote the letter but Lilly Coyle of Minneapolis writing in the persona of the hellish one. I think she got it down pretty well. What say you?

Dear Pat Robertson,

I know that you know that all press is good press, so I appreciate the shout-out. And you make God look like a big mean bully who kicks people when they are down, so I’m all over that action.
But when you say that Haiti has made a pact with me, it is totally humiliating. I may be evil incarnate, but I’m no welcher. The way you put it, making a deal with me leaves folks desperate and impoverished.
Sure, in the afterlife, but when I strike bargains with people, they first get something here on earth — glamour, beauty, talent, wealth, fame, glory, a golden fiddle. Those Haitians have nothing, and I mean nothing. And that was before the earthquake. Haven’t you seen “Crossroads”? Or “Damn Yankees”?
If I had a thing going with Haiti, there’d be lots of banks, skyscrapers, SUVs, exclusive night clubs, Botox — that kind of thing. An 80 percent poverty rate is so not my style. Nothing against it — I’m just saying: Not how I roll.
You’re doing great work, Pat, and I don’t want to clip your wings — just, come on, you’re making me look bad. And not the good kind of bad. Keep blaming God. That’s working. But leave me out of it, please. Or we may need to renegotiate your own contract.

Best, Satan (LILY COYLE, MINNEAPOLIS)

• Stress Tip of the Day
Sure, the world has its share of problems, but there is not need to add to the confusion with our own levels of stress (or stupidity). Consider following the sage advice: “Respond, don’t react.” And to this we can add, try to find the humor in every situation.

• Movies Worth Noting:
I finally got around to seeing the movie, The Blind Side last weekend. Seeing this movie gave me optimism for the future of Hollywood (unlike all the “end of the world” flicks out or coming out soon). You cannot help but walk out of this movie feeling good…and inspired! If you haven’t seen this movie, I highly recommend it!

• Photo of the Day:
I don’t have any photos of Haiti (or Pat Robertson: LOL), but this photo (taken from a plane flying high over the Bahamas last fall) gives a slight Caribbean feel to the story (enjoy). Please keep the people of Haitin in your thoughts and prayers.

• Quote for the Day:
“An optimist laughs to forget. A pessimist forgets to laugh.”
— Anonymous

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.

Brian Luke Seaward

Author Brian Luke Seaward

More posts by Brian Luke Seaward

Leave a Reply