Hysterical and Historical

Here is a slogan that should be tattooed on my hand:
“If it’s hysterical, it’s historical”.

This is so helpful in sorting out my reactions to people and situations, and I do need sorting. For example—like I need to look very far for an example—today I got mad at John because I heard him on the phone and he did not say “we”. I had a big reaction: “Why doesn’t he say we? Doesn’t he want to include me?” blah blah blah.

So, “If it’s hysterical, it’s historical”: My reaction was waaaaaay bigger than seemed relevant—even to me. So I knew that was an old family wound was getting hit. Sure enough, the old stuff about being left out and how my family sometimes forgot that I existed. Like the time they left me locked out of the house and went to buy a new car. I was on the porch for five hours. And it was February. In Pennsylvania. And I was 10. So I have some issues about being left out.

What a do-it-your-self therapy kit this is: If it’s hysterical, it’s historical.