It seems it'simpossible to turn on the radio, television or look at a newspaper without seeing some headline related to some catastrophe that's going to take us all down. In California the current condition is the West Nile Virus.
I'm not really sure what WNV is other than it's harbored by and transmitted by the mosquito as the news sources never mention what it is other than we should all be very concerned for our lives about it. That's enough to scare the ba-gibbers out of anybody. And, quite honestly, that seems the entire intent of it even mentioning it. And as long as everybody's upset, my guess is, the media hopes the more they'll return to them for the experts' antidotes to stave off the pending doom. And, of course, with absolute guarantee, once that crisis has subsided we'll be on the next pending disaster. It's endless.
Well, there's an old condition that's been around since humankind first inhabited the planet that has become "a condition" of increasing alarming that's called HDS. In fact, you might have been suffering from it for years and yourself not even known it.
HDS stands for Human Default Syndrome. It's a genetic condition hardwired into our human blue print. We've all got it and can't escape it. Some recover from it while others suffer with it their whole lives. It can also present as an intermittent phenomenon striking without advanced warning. It's considered more a chronic that acute condition because once you've got its very difficult to get rid of. And, with each passing day it becomes a more permanent life condition that affects everything done.
You see, we're born with two computer-like daily life operating systems that control how we embrace and respond to life. Our primary "human default" operating system is a self-perpetuating condition that comes naturally to us but doesn't serve us well over the long run. The secondary "back up" system takes time and effort to generate and maintain as it's not a natural action for us but provides tremendous benefit over the long haul when we convert to the system as our new life default.
The primary human default operating system is driven by the impulse to find the easy way out of everything. It turns to a lackadaisical attitude that wants it all, now, without having to do anything. Other symptoms associated with this operating system include manipulating others to do our work for us, procrastination, blaming others and everything outside us for our stalled and unfulfilling life, lack of initiative, and abundant low-grad pessimism. This system is self-perpetuating and requires no maintenance. It just keeps repeating itself day after day playing the same old unproductive tune as it's victims become less and less empowered in life.
HDS affected people can be paradoxical in that despite their inability to embrace life with authority and enthusiasm they're very clear about what they'd like out of life but just not sure how to get it.
Few people naturally have the inclination to live from the second "let me take charge and I'll make it happen" system. Those that do are the luckiest people on the planet. Interestingly, and perhaps the most appreciative group of "take chargers" are reformed HDS'ers who have had a taste of "I can do it" and have become some of it's biggest champions.
The second "back up" you take charge operating system requires daily maintenance and is not self-maintaining. The benefit to this system is that it creates appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity to embrace change and produces a meaningful and optimistic life by empowering the individual to take initiative do the action steps to achieve their life goals with regularity.
How do you not become a victim of HDS? The first step is to take charge of your life and initiate positive action toward your passion before you feel like doing it. Nothing will happen until we take the first step. We're talking about the first step, not doing everything the first instance. There's something magic about just moving forward with a project. The sense of accomplishment and "I can do this" from movement is the power productive lives are driven by.
The second step is to organize your life so your daily schedule is purposeful in it's objectives and not too congested to allow for breathing room between activities so you get your objectives met. Nothings worse than to be getting ready for bed and wondering why you didn't get anything done that day and wondering tomorrow will be Ground Hog Day.
Self-confidence, self-sufficiency and personal pride of ownership are the benefits of recovering from HDS. The longer HDS remains our basis for life the less likely we'll be able to keep pace with today's rapidly changing world. It's never to late to make the conversation. All it takes is the first step. Let's put your shoes on.
