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My Melodramatic Life

by Andrew Correli

"Maybe I watch too much TV," I said, with a half-hearted smile. The response was in answer to a question posed by an adult volunteer at our church youth group. I had been pouring out my "troubles" to him, going on and on about how everyone was against me. As I took a deep breath, preparing to launch into yet another narrative about the cunningly calculated conspiracy designed to ruin my life, he had quietly asked the question.

"Why do you make everything out to be so dramatic?"

Melodrama-Rama!

I'm not sure why everything seems so melodramatic, but I think it's all part of being a teen. No matter how hard I try to stay rational, I keep getting caught up in this emotional roller coaster ride. I feel like I'm the center of the universe, and all the bad stuff is coming right at me.

Am I the only teen who feels like this? All I need to do is talk to my friends and I soon discover that I'm definitely not alone. Most of them feel the same way -- to some degree or other. Sometimes I think we should all get together and form some self-centered support group, or maybe have a big meeting where we all take turns explaining how horrible our lives are! We could call it "Melodrama-Rama"!

Perspective Changes (Everything)

Okay, so maybe I'm overdoing it a little. In fact, when I look back to the things that were "major" issues six months ago, I laugh at most of them. And it's an embarrassed laugh, too. I can't believe I was so torn up over such ridiculous things. How could I have been so silly?

Time passes and my perspective changes. And perspective changes everything. The girl I couldn't live without? I'm still alive. (What was her name?) The friend whom I would never speak to again because he betrayed me so horribly? We're going to the movies tonight. (What did he do?) The teacher who was out to get me and ruin my GPA? Aced the class. (Have her this semester, too.)

Redefining My Life

The dictionary defines "melodrama" as meaning "behavior characterized by exaggerated emotions, stereotypical characters, and interpersonal conflicts". If someone used those words to describe my life, I'd be just a little upset. And yet that's what I tend to do.

I exaggerate my emotions. I stereotype people as if they were actors in a really bad movie. Then I turn everything into a conflict.

A change in my perspective lets me see that most of this is wrong. People don't exist in order to play a role in my personal melodrama. They exist because God created them. And God said it was good, so who am I to argue?

My life is not a dreary, depressing show on TV. It is a wonderful gift from our Creator, and I need to start treating it that way. I need to focus my attention outward, towards others, and avoid thinking of myself as the center of things. After all, Jesus should be the center of my melodramatic life.

Life Applications:

How do you get caught-up in melodramatic thinking?
What can you do to change your perspective?
Who is at the center of your universe?

Copyright 2003-2007 by Brandon Jubar
All rights reserved.