March 15 is often remembered as the Ides of March, or the day that Julius Caesar was assassinated. Many associate the date with an ominous sense of foreboding.

What many people don't realize is that in the Roman calendar "ides" was a specific day, which was 15^th of March, May, July and October, and the 13^th of every other month (now you have some trivia up your sleeve for Monday).

So the Ides of March really only means March 15^th, and it's not quite the big deal that we may have thought it was.

What else are you making a bigger deal than really needs to be?

We have a great ability to layer meaning on to things that changes its significance. It's like the "big fish" story - the fish that gets larger each time the story is told.

The fish story is harmless. But we create many stories in our minds that morph over time and become darker and sometimes destructive.

So what can you do about this?

First, you need to identify your own fish stories, and recognize the underlying truth versus what you've added over time.

Then, it's time to non-judgmentally deconstruct these stories to their original bones.

Finally, think about how the new, edited, "true" version affects you and those around you.

It may seem like a lot of work, but you'll find relief, particularly for those stories that have gotten darker over time.