When I was ten years old, my parents, being very permissive in terms of literature, handed me a copy of Stephen King’s The Stand. I found it absolutely interesting/terrifying that, because of a few wrong moves, the population of this fictional Earth was virtually decimated. Of course, this book focused on supernatural concepts of good vs. evil, but the main storyline was that “the government” created a superbug that took out almost everyone in the world. Cheerful summer reading for a 5th grader, to be sure.
However, thanks to reading this book (and the fatalistic pals I’ve met in the intervening years), I am not scared of the current coronavirus outbreak. Should I be? Meh.
First, what is a coronavirus? Quick answer is that “coronaviruses are a family of hundreds of viruses that can cause fever [and] respiratory problems” (Wired.com). Coronaviruses also come from animals. Considering our coronavirus (Covid-19), “many of those initially infected either worked or frequently shopped in the Huanan seafood wholesale market” (TheGuardian.com). In addition, our current nasty little buddy is “the third in the past three decades to jump from animals to humans” (Wired.com).
I am not downplaying the seriousness of this situation. While numbers change constantly, The Week reported that more than 75,200 people have been infected and 2,006 people have passed away (Vol. 20, Issue 964). Obviously, these are upsetting numbers. What’s even more disturbing are the ridiculous “cures” being promoted on the internet. For example, The Daily Beast reports that some folks are suggesting that consuming cow poop will treat corona. That doesn’t sound right. The Daily Beast also mentions that some are pushing the need to stay away from dogs (as they believe dogs are carriers), gargling salt water and spraying alcohol on your head.
Perhaps the most dangerous remedy comes from America: drinking bleach. There’s a group out there that is encouraging the use of a bleach mixture called “Miracle Mineral Solution” that is meant to cure common colds, HIV and, now, the coronavirus (Thedailybeast.com). It’s bleach, guys, so, no. Don’t do this. Don’t drink bleach. Just…just don’t.
Of course, we should have a healthy fear of new viruses. We don’t know what they do, where they’re going, etc. However, I don’t feel the need to spend that much time stressing over corona. Healthline.com tells us that “if you’re in the US, the odds of getting the virus are almost zero.” I like those odds. Also, as a friend who walked away from 7 significant car wrecks told me: when it’s your time, it’s your time.
Obviously, I’m not saying that you should go lick an airport sink. Certain precautions right now wouldn’t be a bad idea: don’t travel out of the country if you don’t have to, wash your hands, get enough rest. Things we should be doing anyway, in other words. However, we shouldn’t make ourselves crazy until there’s enough evidence that tells us that we should make ourselves crazy. I don’t think we’re living The Stand just yet.
Bourke Accounting professionals won’t advise you to eat cow poop. Your head will not be sprayed with anything when you meet with your Bourke Accounting tax preparer or bookkeeper. Your Bourke Accounting specialist will offer you coffee (maybe Red Bull, if you’re nice to Bill), but we don’t supply bleach. Worry about the things you have control over, like your finances. And face it, if you have a Bourke Accounting expert across the table from you, you won’t even have to worry about that.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly. – Morticia Addams
Are you normal? Am I normal? How do we even know? While my Bourke Accounting employers and co-workers are capable, knowledgeable and efficient (and very cool), I think they’re a pretty weird crew. However, I’m pretty weird, too, so I know whence I speak.
For example, every morning when I get out of the shower, I kiss my fingers and then touch the shower head. Why? I have no idea. I don’t know if I’m thanking the water, the water company or the universe. This is something I’ve done since I was tall enough to reach and I thought this was completely normal. I happened to mention it to someone and she looked at me like I was a full-on psycho.
So, I guess not everyone thanks the water after washing their pits. Good to know.
There are some things we know are kinda out of the norm. For example, if you walk into a friend’s house, find him sitting in the corner, eating flies and repeating the counties of New Jersey in alphabetical order over and over, you might want to have a little sit-down with him (preferably with an interventionist). Most of us have some issue with authority, intimacy, abandonment or public speaking. We’ve all met people who are so defensive that even the most innocuous of comments invokes a vicious response. All of these are the kind of normal weirdness that we’re used to.
But how do you know if you’re normal normal? Scientificamerican.com has a few guidelines to help us. For example, you have a healthy personality if you have “more positive than negative emotions in daily life” (Scientificamerican.com). Negative people are a downer for the rest of us, however, it must be even worse for the negative person. These guys are forced to live in their own little pessimistic and dismal noggins. Of course, they’re sort of depressing, but they still fall within the “normal” spectrum, I think. Another way to tell if you’re normal is if you are able to cultivate a “warm, authentic connection to others” (Scientificamerican.com). In order to accomplish this, one must be empathetic and sympathetic enough to view others as fellow living creatures with emotions and needs. Yup, that sounds about normal to me (although, I’ve admitted that I’m weird, so take my opinion with some salt on top).
The good thing is that the old adage that goes something like, “if you think you’re crazy, you’re not,” is actually true. According to Gerald Goodman, PhD and emeritus professor of psychology at UCLA, “believing that you are going crazy is a good clue that you are sane” (Webmd.com). Dr. Goodman believes that really unbalanced people have no idea that they’ve lost the thread. They simply think that they are the only sane one in a world full of crazy people. Of course, in these chaotic times, it’s easy to decide that we’re going a little squirrely. Because “there is more stress today than in previous generations” (Psychcentral.com), we’re all susceptible to “depression and mood disorders” (Psychcentral.com). This is especially true if you happen to be someone who has a genetic predisposition to these afflictions.
Are you normal? Maybe, maybe not. Your Bourke Accounting professional, as I’ve said, isn’t a shrink. However, if you have a Bourke Accounting expert working for you, you will sleep better, eat better and be kinder to small animals with the knowledge that all of your finances are being well taken care of by the best in the business. Make an appointment and share your weird, little habits with a Bourke Accounting specialist today!
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
I think I told you that Bill has involved his Bourke Accounting employees in a book club (the new book is Jen Sincero’s, “You Are a BadA*s”). Last week, at our meeting, the question was raised: Do you forgive easily? Most everyone answered that yes, in fact, they do forgive easily. There’s no point in staying angry when it doesn’t hurt anyone but yourself, we’re all mature here, let it go, let it go, let it go.
I just might be the resident rebel agent provocateur, but when the question was posed to me, I honestly replied that I do not forgive easily (if ever). Vanessa Delgado hurt my best friend 20 years ago – if she was on fire, I wouldn’t even…uh, put her out. Ermes Vallencio broke my heart 17 years ago; I’m still waiting for the chance to remove his. Bill tore apart one of my blogs so thoroughly, I was bleeding ink for a week.
Before I get to the touchy-feely optimistic part, let me just say that I don’t necessarily agree that forgiving easily is such a great thing. The longer one holds a grudge, the less likely one is to fall prey to another charlatan. We live and learn and, in my case, hold deep-seated grudges out of a strange self-preservation instinct.
But. Forgiveness is good for you. Psychology Today tells us that forgiving reduces “anger…depression and stress.” Also, if you’re a forgiving sort, you’ll suffer “fewer general health problems and lower incidences of the most serious illnesses – including heart disease.” Yeah, it’s not enough that you’re a sweeter person than me, now you’re healthier, too.
However, speaking for the grudge holders, it’s not really our fault. Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that “studies have found that some people are just naturally more forgiving.” And wouldn’t you know it? These Pollyannas “tend to be more satisfied with their lives” than someone like yours truly. Ok, so you’re not just healthier, you’re happier, too.
Because I want to be healthy and happy, I did a little bit of research on how one can learn to forgive. From what I’ve read, it’s about as easy as learning to fly by flapping my arms a lot. Some sites told me esoteric stuff about making pals with my inner forgiving goddess. Right, yeah, I’m on it. Psychology Today actually had better advice. One of their concepts is that you should “acknowledge the growth you experienced as a result of what happened.” I have to say, every time that I’ve been hurt, I did learn something. Hard lessons are the ones that teach the most.
Another thing that Psychology Today emphasizes is the point of view of the person who hurt you. The author invites the reader to understand that “the other person was trying to have a need met.” Furthermore, the reader is asked to question what that need was and “why did the person go about it in such a hurtful way?” Like with everything else, once understanding and communication are established, it’s easier to look at the other person as an actual person and not some demonized version of someone we used to like.
I’m not going to learn how to forgive in one day. However, working with the crew at Bourke Accounting, maybe I can learn how to “let it go” a bit; they really are a forgiving group. Show up a little late for your appointment? Our Bourke Accounting professionals won’t make you stand in the corner. Made some bad investment decisions? Bourke Accounting experts won’t even say “I told you so,” they’ll just quietly get your financial life back on track. Bourke Accounting associates might just be The Saints of the P&L.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
A lot of people don’t know this, but I am really shy. I do warm up after a little while, but that first couple of minutes with a stranger is hellacious for me. I worry that I have something in my teeth or that, maybe, I’ve already acquired unsightly pit stains – the list of awkward possibilities is endless.
So, imagine my horror when Bill told me that I would be accompanying Christina (talented Bourke bookkeeper and tax preparer, if you didn’t know) into the Kentucky wide-open to hand out giftbags to folks. I lost sleep, had difficulty eating and found myself seriously unhappy for the few days leading up to our excursion.
But what could I do? I believe that if I spoke to Bill about my affliction, he would have given me a pass. However, I didn’t want to do that. Instead, I put on my Big-Girl pants and headed out.
After a few shops, Christina couldn’t find a parking spot and asked if I would go alone. My hands started to sweat, my chest constricted, I nodded miserably and left the safe cocoon of the car.
And, just like that, my stress bubble popped. I joked around with the proprietress. I was calm and engaging. I did what I set out to do and it felt good. There is no doubt that, without meaning to, Bourke Accounting pushed me way out of my comfort zone.
The problem that some of us have with social anxiety, is that we say, “Well, this is just me.” Don’t believe that for a second. Shyness might be an aspect of your personality, but it isn’t who you are. Pyschcentral.com’s article, “6 Ways to Overcome Social Anxiety,” has a few ways to combat shyness. Some are rather stupid, like “Create an exposure hierarchy.” Okay, why couldn’t the author just say: Hey, make a list of the social things that freak you out? However, some of the advice is solid, such as, deep breathing, therapy and, quite simply, fighting through the fear.
I fought through the fear and came out the other side, victorious. This does not mean that I will no longer suffer from social anxiety. However, it does mean that I am coming from a better starting place and that I now know that I can, successfully, converse with new people. By the end of the day, I wasn’t even remotely nervous.
Bourke Accounting representatives won’t make you put your hand into a tank of creepy crawlies. They won’t even force you to give a public speech. However, if your phobia happens to be money-related, our Bourke Accounting experts can help you fight through the fear, too. Our Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers can show the way to a better night’s sleep and less anxiety during the day. And if you have to tighten that belt a little, Bourke Accounting can show you ways to make it a little less painful and a little less scary.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.