Think that life treats you unfairly? Think Again!
Yeah, we’ve all heard how stress does all kinds of harm to the body, such as increasing blood pressure and increasing the risk of heart attacks.
Now researchers are pointing to a more subtle high-risk factor - feeling that life treats you unfairly.
According to a study conducted by University College London researchers, people who felt a strong sense of being treated unfairly had a 55% higher chance of getting some kind of heart disease. The stronger their sense of unfairness, the greater their risk of a heart attack or angina. The study concluded: “Unfairness is an independent predictor of increased coronary events and impaired health functioning.”
The exact physio-bio-chemical-whatever mechanism that results in the heart problems is not understood, the researchers acknowledge.
So what can be done? The lead researcher, Dr. Roberto de Vogli, had this to say:
“I understand that this is a long shot, but the key message is that we must try to promote fairness in society.”
Is Changing Society the Answer?
I don’t believe that Dr. de Vogli’s summary is the answer. If we wait until society changes, then we may as well not expect any change at all.
There was no scientific way to verify just how unfairly some of these people were actually treated. How do you measure that? The only thing that served as a measurement was how the participants rated, on a scale of one to six, the statement: “I often have the feeling that I am being treated unfairly.” So the only thing that this study measured was how the people felt.
Would it be reasonable to think that all the the responses of the people in the study accurately reflected reality? Might not the responses reflect what some of those people focused on? Others who encountered similar situations might not have responded the same way, for example.
So it comes back to a matter of how you think, rather than the actual state of your life, that affects your health. And this is something that you can start working on now, without waiting for or relying on others.
How to Change Your Thinking
I can imagine what it must be like to feel that, for the most part, you’re treated unfairly. You feel that you’re a victim in life, trapped by circumstances beyond your control, and powerless to do anything about it. And I can understand how difficult it would be to feel otherwise.
But realizing that your health is at risk, isn’t it worth at least considering the possibility that you might be able to do something about it? Know that how you feel is completely up to you, and that is what is going to make the difference.
When you think about it, the whole concept of “fairness” is only a perception. Life doesn’t really conspire against anyone. There is nothing in the universe that has ‘rights’. To think in terms of ‘rights’ only leads to feelings of persecution and resentment, and it gets in the way of taking personal responsibility.
So be open to ways and methods of changing how you feel.
- Look for things to be grateful for.
You can always find things that are positive in your life. If this is difficult, then think about how a situation could be worse. Then focus on the fact that things are not that way - and cultivate feelings of gratitude for how much better your situation is. It’s important at this point to continue to focus on the positive side. Don’t think “I’m glad my situation isn’t like that (however worse it could be)”, but rather think “I’m grateful that my situation is like this.”
- Learn a meditation or other relaxation practice.
- Let go of expectations for how things should turn out - and trust that things will turn out. They always do.
Do you believe in God (or some Higher Power)? Then trust God to handle matters. This allows you to relax a bit, focus on what you can do at that moment, then leave the rest to God. Don’t believe in God? Then look at how impractical it is to worry about things that you cannot control. Things are going to work out however they are going to work out. This gets back to the one thing that you do have control over - your attitude.
After trying these methods for awhile, you may find that things seem to work out a little better than you used to think. You might find a two-fold benefit to changing your perspective that actually feeds on itself in a kind of positive-feedback loop. Your attitude changes, then things seem to work out better which further acts to reinforce your change in attitude. Ultimately, you’ve eliminated a behavior that had put you at risk for serious heart issues.
Then, maybe later, you can play with using your thoughts and feelings to more purposefully direct your life in a direction that you’ve always wanted.
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Really great write up! It just goes to show that a little optimism is going to serve you better than pessimism. As an example; A friend of mine was complaining about his job everyday and he always said how awful it was. I asked him to do me a favor. He said sure what is that. I told him I want him to just look at all the good things about working there. Focus only on peoples’ positive aspects and what you enjoy about the job. He reluctantly agreed, and it is now two months later and his stress has dropped and he loves his job again.
There is a tremendous amount of truth to what you say to improve, your thinking. Once again simply terrific post!
JackDirt, thanks for the real-life example! In my own life, I’ve definitely found that attitude changes everything.
Very good article. Interesting how it all comes back to enjoying life, feeling good about yourself and others, expressing gratitude, etc.
Thanks Mark. It’s amazing how many people just don’t realize that how you think really does affect the actual state of your life.
Great article…
Whether life is fair or not, there is just something about acceptance and inner peace that removes the judgments and inner turmoil that comes from believing one is treated unfairly.
Like you, waiting until life is fair is so NOT the answer!
Warmest wishes and thanks for this great information and inspiration!
Jennifer
Chris,
I really enjoyed that post. I’ve felt for a long time that we could change the world if we simply quit complaining about how unfair everything is and pointing our finger in blame.
I agree with you that attempting to create a fair society via external force won’t cure things, but creating a fair society via internal personal power will. That’s the law of attraction.
You know, I study history subjects as a hobby, and it makes it hard to understand this law of attraction stuff when I look at it in a historical context. I’ve been fascinated recently with African history, in particular southern Africa – Zimbabwe/Rhodesia, Namibia, and South Africa. It is an amazing area rich with nature, resources, and culture, but cursed with a horrible violent history (and present). And I have to ask myself, could we end it, by changing the way we think about it? I doubt it. Could the people that live there change it by changing the way they think about each other? No, but it’s a good first step. How many people would have to change the way they think, feel, and act to turn that part of the world into the paradise I believe it was meant to be?
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for your comment! I don’t believe that life is concerned about being “fair” at all, so that really leaves it up to us to change how we deal with it.
Steve,
It’s easy to get so wrapped up in our lives here that we forget about severe conditions in other places. Thanks for the reminder.
Yes, I find several aspects of the law of attraction difficult to wrap my head around. With regard to situations like those that exist in many African countries, I think that there has just been a prolonged influence of negative thinking - such as greed, hostility, or despair - so any change will have to start first with changes in thinking. Fighting against it will only prolong the situation. What is needed is hope and faith in the inherent goodness of people. The good news is that it does not take a majority to effect a change. The higher consciousness of a few can outweigh the lower consciousness levels of the many.
I am so pleased that you stopped in today. I have been so very busy it has really been difficult to make all of the rounds. But, as you were there today. I myself am finding a very comfortable balance between Eastern and Native American philosophy as a Chrstain. I too have long since learned to look upon my challenges in life as truly only a means to learn something new. Therefore….strife in some forms are actually blessings sent to us from God that we may learn what he is trying to teach us. I am also very,very sad that I missed June 6th. But I have my globe now…and, I have emailed it to Mimi and I am headed now to put it on both of my sites. Thanks for showing up today…isn’t it odd how intuition works? Somehow…I he always sends someone my way…just when I need it the most…or, when I am missing something. ~Jackie