Actually controlling your response is frequently an illusion. We all tend to react to life by the way we were brought up, and what we learned as life went on. Unfortunately a lot of the responses we learned are not healthy response.
The good news is that our default responses can be changed by relearning how we address life. It is not easy, and it takes time; but it can be done, if you want to do it.
One of my biggest life lessons occurred when I was sitting in traffic (again) and getting upset at all the idiots on the road. It occurred to me that I was letting others determine my mood. Since then I decide for myself if I want to get upset at something or not. Usually not. Just too much of a waste of time, especially when I have no influence over it.
My Brother introduced me to a phrase this weekend; Smell the flowers, blow out the candles. If something irritates us now we will simply text that phrase or a meme I found of it. :-)
Hey Rat…that’s called cognitive dissonance when we don’t hear what we want to hear. But just keep shopping around…eventually someone will validate your opinion (probably a drunk) and you can say “we all agree that it’s booze that gets us thru life.”
This is the basis of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, developed by Albert Ellis. He said that, when confronted by what we might initially perceive as a horrible event, we should question our negative reaction to it to see if it is really that horrible. In essence, he said we could talk ourselves out of the negative feelings we have, and look at it more rationally. As a former counselor, I used this with quite a few people, and it has helped me on many occasions.
You’re morally, ethically and psychologically right. Still, I find it refreshing and cathartic to scream vituperation at all those idiots, who are everyone but me. I should add that I scream my vituperation, and not all that loudly, with windows shut. (I may be an angry driver, but I’m not suicidal.)
When I’m driving and some goofball does something stupid to annoy me, I pretend that they’re rushing to the hospital to try and say goodbye to their mother before she dies. And that they miss.
BE THIS GUY over 2 years ago
Booze can be the response you choose, Rat.
BasilBruce over 2 years ago
Rat would probably take the GWA’s advice to mean, “Punch the other guy harder.”
DeltaFRFX over 2 years ago
There’s a little bit of Rat in all of us.
ronaldspence over 2 years ago
he’s the wise-ass, not the easy or convenient-ass Rat!
David_the_CAD over 2 years ago
Actually controlling your response is frequently an illusion. We all tend to react to life by the way we were brought up, and what we learned as life went on. Unfortunately a lot of the responses we learned are not healthy response.
The good news is that our default responses can be changed by relearning how we address life. It is not easy, and it takes time; but it can be done, if you want to do it.
Robin Harwood over 2 years ago
Basic Stoicism.
franki_g over 2 years ago
Wiseass, rather than half-assed, approach to life’s problems
iggyman over 2 years ago
Watch the booze Rat, you’ll fry your liver!
cdward over 2 years ago
Booze is a response you control.
Doug K over 2 years ago
Rat didn’t really (doesn’t ever) want some real advise or wisdom.
He just wants to hear what he wants to hear.
Walrus Gumbo Premium Member over 2 years ago
“Here’s to alcohol, the cause and cure to all of life’s problems!” – Homer Simpson
Gent over 2 years ago
Booze is solution, Rat. But not for life’s problems.
Imagine over 2 years ago
One of my biggest life lessons occurred when I was sitting in traffic (again) and getting upset at all the idiots on the road. It occurred to me that I was letting others determine my mood. Since then I decide for myself if I want to get upset at something or not. Usually not. Just too much of a waste of time, especially when I have no influence over it.
Kayak_Brian over 2 years ago
My Brother introduced me to a phrase this weekend; Smell the flowers, blow out the candles. If something irritates us now we will simply text that phrase or a meme I found of it. :-)
Purple People Eater over 2 years ago
Booze is one way many people respond to life.
derdave969 over 2 years ago
It just occurred to me that the wise-A seems to be perched on a hill of dung.
Jimvideo over 2 years ago
Hey Rat…that’s called cognitive dissonance when we don’t hear what we want to hear. But just keep shopping around…eventually someone will validate your opinion (probably a drunk) and you can say “we all agree that it’s booze that gets us thru life.”
tripwire45 over 2 years ago
Booze is one way to respond.
mikeszeller Premium Member over 2 years ago
Booze is hot Rat responds!
Cameron1988 Premium Member over 2 years ago
The Wise-ass is correct
SheMc over 2 years ago
See Rat, you CAN control
DenisDaily over 2 years ago
oh god :_D
Ellis97 over 2 years ago
That donkey sure knows how to tell it like it is.
tom.amitai over 2 years ago
Choosing to drink is a response, so he did say “booze”, but in a roundabout way.
Zebrastripes over 2 years ago
Booze only makes it worse Rat!
Comics are the first thing to read over 2 years ago
https://www.gocomics.com/pickles/2022/07/25
HOTLOTUS1 over 2 years ago
but it can be posted in the comic spelled out.
monya_43 over 2 years ago
Booze does not drown your problems. It irrigates them. Getting drunk can be a response. Not necessarily a positive one, though.
artegal over 2 years ago
Booze is a valid response.
Count Olaf Premium Member over 2 years ago
He should have gone to The Wise Andy Capp in the Canal.
Snolep over 2 years ago
Larry S over 2 years ago
Also, anger. Most anger comes from being or feeling disrespected. When you identify it you can quell the anger.
CaveCat87 over 2 years ago
Sorry, Rat, but booze is not always the answer.
raybarb44 over 2 years ago
He did. You weren’t paying attention……
SofaKing over 2 years ago
He didn’t say “not booze”
waes-hael over 2 years ago
But, he DID!
Lady loves a joke over 2 years ago
What’s your poison, Rat?
InuYugiHakusho over 2 years ago
Technically you can respond with booze.
el_eye over 2 years ago
The wise a$$ finally got an answer right.
Goat from PBS over 2 years ago
Thank you, wise donkey. That’s very deep.
Katje over 2 years ago
The answer should be booze, of course. He’s just being an a s s… :D
Lola85 Premium Member over 2 years ago
This is the basis of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, developed by Albert Ellis. He said that, when confronted by what we might initially perceive as a horrible event, we should question our negative reaction to it to see if it is really that horrible. In essence, he said we could talk ourselves out of the negative feelings we have, and look at it more rationally. As a former counselor, I used this with quite a few people, and it has helped me on many occasions.
melangley Premium Member over 2 years ago
In a way he did, Rat.
Mayor Snorkum over 2 years ago
You’re morally, ethically and psychologically right. Still, I find it refreshing and cathartic to scream vituperation at all those idiots, who are everyone but me. I should add that I scream my vituperation, and not all that loudly, with windows shut. (I may be an angry driver, but I’m not suicidal.)
Bilan over 2 years ago
I guess WiseAss is saying that you can choose to be happy when other people are stupid.
Yeah, right.
Suny over 2 years ago
So, the cartoon can say A.s.s. but we can’t?
Realimaginary1 Premium Member over 2 years ago
Be what you need to be when the situation calls for it.
slbolfing over 2 years ago
Booze is a response…
txmystic over 2 years ago
Boozing is indeed a response…whether or not it’s a good response is open for interpretation
willie_mctell over 2 years ago
Booze can be a choice if you’re not addicted.
Buoy over 2 years ago
Booze happens to me, and I respond by drinking it.
NavalHistorian over 2 years ago
Booze is a response to what happens to you in life. So, Pig really got the response he wanted
Otis Rufus Driftwood over 2 years ago
Something my dad often said. He passed on last week. May he rest in peace.
j.painterjones over 2 years ago
And you have also done good to your mental and physical health!
Sisyphos over 2 years ago
Just pretend he did, Rat. Nobody will know the difference, nor care….
DaBump Premium Member over 2 years ago
No.
Swirls Before Pine over 2 years ago
When I’m driving and some goofball does something stupid to annoy me, I pretend that they’re rushing to the hospital to try and say goodbye to their mother before she dies. And that they miss.
missyhyattfan over 2 years ago
Sometimes it just feels good to vent!