BANDWAGON RIDERS: DON’T KICK ‘EM WHEN THEY FALL OFF

Bandwagon riders have difficult decisions to make everyday. Why?

Because there’s always a new bandwagon to jump on.

And it comes in many forms.

Remember jogging?

“Hey, let’s take a ten mile run to warm up.”

“Great, then we’ll do it again tomorrow. It makes me feel so good.”

Tomorrow: “I can’t move. My feet feel broken.”

Remember weight lifting?

“Three plates, baby, let’s go all the way.”

Later: “What happened to my shoulder?”

First it’s the bandwagon, then the consequences. There’s always consequences, and that’s the truth. (See what I did there?)

I mean, if you got the consequences before jumping on a bandwagon, what would you call it? Pre-punishment, because jumping on a bandwagon means one thing: Falling off the bandwagon.

Bandwagons aren’t meant to last a lifetime.

Take social media for example.

Life On Twitter

I’ve read some of the most heartwarming things on twitter, and heart wrenching.

Today a guy detailed his upcoming brain surgery on twitter.

It was inspiring to read the responses. He’s not going in alone, that’s for sure. The response was wonderful.

With that in mind I asked twitter for a littler help, some guidance. I’ve posted there since 2009. You’d think I’d get one response? Nope.

So I figured out my problem myself, deleted the question, and wanted to give a big F U to twitter. But that’s not right. Those are busy people living busy lives. That was my takeaway.

I fell off my own bandwagon and kicked myself on the way down. It’s a practiced skill.

Will I ever ask twitter another important question? Highly doubtful. Do I feel alone and abandoned by social media? I’m not kicking myself about that.

It’s more about how much to reveal and when.

If I was due for brain surgery, and I’m not, I’d take notes and do something creative with the experience instead of the raw news followed by “My wife will update while I’m in ICU.”

Health Problem Bandwagon Riders

At what age go we start dwelling on health problems? Right after the age of asking, “How did you sleep?”

I’ve never asked anyone how they slept, but I’ve been asked. And this might be my disconnect.

In my view, if you get up in the morning then you slept fine. If you don’t get up then I swing into action with, “How did you sleep.” Which opens the door to talking about why you’re not up and at it.

Remember caregiving? A big part of caregiving is continual monitoring.

“I don’t feel good,” is a common refrain. Finding out why, and if it’s urgent or just a mild complaint, is part of the job.

One response: “Me too, I don’t feel so good, but we’ve got things to do no matter how we feel. Let’s go.”

Remember cancer radiation?

“If you don’t maintain your weight we can’t proceed with the treatment.”

One response: “That’s why I’m carrying extra coins in my pockets and wearing heavy shoes, doctor.”

Remember the broken heart?

“It’s a stress response. Do you know what was stressing you?”

“Yes, listening attentively and not talking.”

“That stressed you?”

“I need counseling. Do you know anyone?”

Bandwagon riders have different responses. They might whine, and that’s okay. They might wallow, and it’s alright.

You don’t have to join them, just keep up your end of the conversation.