What is Your Battle Cry?

Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the nonpharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality.  –John W. Gardner  

I love reading about the Civil War, and I consider here the July, 1861 Battle of Bull Run.  Seeking to bring a quick end to the war, President Lincoln sent 35,000 troops who had been bivouacked around Washington 35 miles south to attack the Confederates who were defending the crucial railroad junction of Manassas, Virginia.  The Union troops, many of them new and inadequately trained, were exhausted by the time they reached their destination.  On Sunday morning, July 21, the Union attacked the Confederate position and nearly won the day.  However, the Confederates, emboldened by reinforcements, surged forward and used for the first time what would come to be known as the Rebel Yell.  The Union line melted away, and the retreat carried the demoralized Union army all the way back to Washington. 

This war cry would go down in history as one associated with the desire for victory.  Do you have a battle cry these days?  Do you think in terms of “With God’s help I will succeed?” or do you more often give up and lie down in defeat?  Many people have the antithesis of a war cry and it goes like this: “Woe is me!”  This pitiful cry is often followed with self-fulfilling prophecies of, “I can’t do it!  Life is so unfair!  I’ll never be happy!  I hate my life!”  Utter these words often enough and those around you will surely see it.  Furthermore, they will begin to avoid you if possible. 

Consider a few hard questions: do you complain often?  Do you get satisfaction over negative attention?  Do you enjoy telling someone off because “being right is always what’s most important?”  Do you throw a fit in public, if say, your food at a restaurant isn’t cooked perfectly (I’d be careful about eating the pasta primavera you just sent back three times; the cook probably spit in it)?  If these traits fit you, then hear me carefully: people don’t enjoy being around you.  In fact, they are only tolerating you, perhaps out of obligation or a desire to help.  Keep on and you will eventually push away these good intentioned people. 

No one likes a bully, no one appreciates being talked down to, and believe me when I say virtually no one enjoys hearing you moan and complain about how miserable and unfair your life has become.  Now is the time and today is the day to make changes.  Not happy with your life?  Change it for the better.  Are you out of shape, overweight, and short of breath?  Take action today.  Go on a diet, start exercising, and throw away your cigarettes – cold turkey while vowing never to touch them again. 

You can be a more happy and well-rounded person.  Take up a new battle cry: “With God’s help, I will change for the better!”