By
Dana Rausch
/ April 3, 2013
Drama used to be an experience or situation acted out on television or in the movies by actors and actresses. It was action for the stage that we could laugh, cry, applaud or jeer because we knew it was just a movie. The Free Dictionary describes it as, ‘a prose or verse composition, especially one telling a serious story, that is intended for representation by actors impersonating the characters and performing the dialogue and action”. Drama was intended to entertain. Yet today it is a way of life. It has become the norm to act out or lash out with no thought to who is watching. We can see it at Starbuck’s, the grocery store, kid’s ball games, our neighborhood, even at church. Fights, arguments, and disagreements are loudly revealed for the audience of its choice.
The free dictionary went on to define drama as, “any event or series of events having vivid, conflicting elements that capture one’s interest.” I’ve been caught up in some of those events without my choosing. I happened to be at the right place at the wrong time.
What is hard to understand is…. WHY ALL THE DRAMA?
A Web -based dictionary defines drama in numerous ways:
- Drama is something women and especially teenage girls thrive on…..
- Drama is situations that have an easy solution and pleasant outcome, but instead the choices of backstabbing, blackmailing, gossiping, and betraying are used instead.
- A way of relating to the world in which a person overreacts or exaggerates the importance of nonthreatening events.
- It is used by people who are either bored or who seek attention.
- People who engage in “drama” will usually attempt to drag other people into their dramatic state, as a way of gaining attention or making their own lives more exciting.
Interestingly, it went on to give common denominators about “Drama People”. They have one supposedly serious problem after another, and are constantly telling other people about their problems. They are extremely emotional thus claim to have experienced bad events that are highly unlikely. They make accusations without sufficient evidence about allegedly serious events. Lastly, they show a habit of irrational behavior with reactions to everyday problems.Everyone has events and situations happen to them daily. I have had my share of circumstances recently and to be honest…. I want to cry. Why? First, because of the misinformation that is construed as truth; secondly, how it is passed on with a false concern; and thirdly, the eagerness to share a story for personal gain.
Again, I ask why drama?
Here are a few suggestions:
- · The need to be right while exposing other’s faults.
- · The desire for attention that it brings.
- · The habit of re-acting without thinking.
- · The lack of coping skills or life skills.
- · The belief that it’s all about “ME”.
I feel that we have become so self-absorbed that we can no longer see clearly. In the middle of drama filled events, self becomes our focus. In the midst of a situation that WE are the one’s needing to change, we are demanding that the other person changes.
Matthew talks about this scenario in Chapter 7. Why are we so concerned about someone else’s problem, sin, misfortune, or ignorance? Why are we pointing fingers at them, when we have circumstances of our own that need to be addressed? We are so eager to help them, yet continue in our own hot mess.
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”
My friend told me recently, “If someone keeps pushing your buttons…..get YOUR button fixed!” So instead of trying to fix your button, I am working on mine. And mine only.
Drama in which other people are in other people’s business pushes my button.
But instead of pushing your button back, I am going to take the time to work solely on mine….beginning now.
If we’d apply our heart to Matthew 7:3-5 we would truly:
1. See the Lord ……
2. See the Lord work……
3. See the Lord work in us…..
4. See the Lord work in them….
