I’m Having A Bad Day!
Ever have one of those days? When I left the house to walk the dog this morning, I saw that my garbage bin had fallen over from the wind, and I had to pick up all the waste with one hand while juggling the leash and my travel mug of tea in the other. I’m having a bad day. I was wearing my down-filled parka, ear muffs, and heavy mittens (they are warmer than gloves) – on April 15th! – and I still wasn’t warm enough. By the time I got to the lake a couple of short blocks away, I had to pull up my hood because of the strong winds. I’m having a bad day. After my dog did his business, I took off my mitts to open the doggie-poop bag but I just couldn’t get it open. Is it me or are they making these bags thinner and thinner every day? My hands were frozen after a few seconds of this, so I just flattened out the bag, grabbed the poop gingerly, and ran over to the nearby garbage can to dump it. As I was running, my dog’s leash became entangled around a pole but I didn’t notice because my hood hampered my peripheral vision, so I was snapped back and I dropped my mug. Darn, just when I need my tea the most! I’m having a bad day.
I was starting to wallow in self-pity when a new thought popped into my head. Somewhere in the world today, someone is mourning the loss of a pet, or a family member, or a dear friend. Somewhere in the world today, someone is going hungry or doesn’t have clean water to drink. Somewhere in the world today….heck, probably right in my own neighborhood…someone is lying in a hospital bed, in pain, maybe with little hope for recovery. That’s when it hit me. My version of a bad day could be someone else’s dream day compared to how their day is going today. My perspective did a 180 degree turn and guess what? I’m having a good day! How’s your day going?
Hellen,
Thank you for sharing your “good day”. This is something I have been training the brain to remember on a daily basis, even when my days are the greatest, I try to remember those who are having it rough. These are the days when I give random gifts of kindness (sweet hand written notes, flowers, pay for a cup of coffee for the person behind me in the line-up or drive-thru, donate clothing or toiletries to a local women’s shelter…etc..). I feel my strongest on the great days and when I do kind acts for others, it generates to the next day which gives me strength in spirit to make it through if it turns out to be “one of those bad days”.
That’s beautiful Sue, and very inspiring!
Perspective is everything isn’t it? Lovely post! I am going to have an AWESOME day 🙂
Weall have days like that – and thnak you for the giving all of us a different way to look at the world.
I always think of Rev. Michael Beckwith (Of the Oprah Show and The Secret fame) who taught me this affirmation when I get up in the am…..
“I am open to more good then I have every experienced, realized or imagined. My life is good in this moment. I am greateful.”
The phrase “Enjoy your day!” – means much more to me now….And instead of satying good bye to people this is my parting phrase – my way of spreading some postive thought and energy.
So – “Enjoy your day!”
Blessings to you and yours..
Mini Jacques
Port Elgin, ON.
Thank you for this reminder – it is all in how you chose to see the day. And I also always try to think, when I encounter someone who is brusque or crabby to me, that they are probably having their version of a bad day and it has nothing to do with me and it’s best to smile, be as nice as possible and move on.
Wow, thank you for sharing this. I usually am a positive person, but sometimes, I think we all get lost in our own dark thoughts. It is hard to train our brain to see perspective!
Reminds me of the last Harry Potter movie: Hermione said «Oh no! we forgot to celebrate your birthday, Harry!» to which he answers: «Given that we just almost got killed by Death eaters, it’s really not important». «Yeah, right. Perspective.» 🙂
so true Hellen! It’s so hard to remember our blessings when we sit on our pitty pot. On the days when I don’t feel good about life, I try to remember that my husband is very sweet, my girls are healthy, I have a job, in my chosen field, and it pays well and my boss is very nice. Can’t ask for anything more but those humbling experiences that keep me grounded 🙂
I love this post! how very very true!
I hope every day is a good day!
xo Susie
Agreed with all of the above; especially since I am one of those you speak of – bedbound and in pain 24/7 due primarily to being struck by 3, yes 3 – different drunk/drugged drivers over 19 prime years of my life. Yet without any support, I am required to stay productive.
Now, perhaps a case of ‘student becomes teacher’: prior to setting out for “poop duty”, and before putting on gloves or mittens, take out one catch bag and open it fully while you have bare and free hands indoors without a leash and beverage to juggle, then put into the coat pocket for retrieval when needed.
Might not hurt to keep a pre- fluffed open bag in each pocket of: coat, sweater, hoodie sweatshirt, raincoat, jacket; and/or a small stack of them kept next to where the leash or house keys are kept. Just a thought.
Hope everyone is truly having a great day.
Sue S – thank you for sharing. We can all learn from each other.
Yes! We can all learn from each other.
All the posts were very interesting. We all have “bad” days and it IS easy to turn it around, with your attitude….after practice it becomes a good habit. I loved watching NEAT and miss it, but now look forward to your monthly newsletter. Have a Happy Birthday!
Lois, thanks for the post and for the birthday wishes!