I’m sure you have heard or used the phrase, “Man, it looks like you got up on the wrong side of the bed.” That, of course, is not a compliment nor should it be taken literally. That is a trite way of saying that the person is in a rotten mood and might want to start all over.
But…have you ever had the opposite? Everything is cranking on all cylinders. Your day clicked. You had a really good day. You laughed with people. You got lots of hugs from little people and big people. You rejoiced at the good news someone received. You dined with people who were fun to be with and had two children who were mercurial-they cried at one point and then had smiles to melt your heart. You then had a productive office time. All was good until…
Something happened which ruined your mood.
That was me yesterday. Let me just put it into one word: c.o.m.p.u.t.e.r.
‘Nuff said? Over an hour’s worth of hard work. Gone in one stroke. Yeah…I was not a happy camper. An effort to ease the looming pressure of the coming week…gone. Needless to say, my mood changed in a heartbeat. Frustrated beyond belief, I quickly did some physical stuff which needed done and then closed up shop and went home. Even this morning as I sit here writing this and contemplate getting back to that document-once completed but now only partially so-I can sense the irritation.
I have a choice to make: let it be said I either got up on the wrong side of the bed OR I wiped it off the map, hitched up my britches, and got back to work.
I’ve already made my choice. I chose last night to spend the evening in conversation and laughter with my wife and daughter. I chose to spend part of the time texting with folks who just needed an ear and some encouragement, or to share in their joy. And I choose this morning to pick up that document and finish it, maybe even better than it was before. I refuse to allow it to ruin my day or start my week off on the wrong foot (or the wrong side of the bed).
What do you do when you day goes sideways?
Good for you, Bill! You are a shining example to us. This is a good way for me to start MY morning. In case, somewhere along the line, my day goes in a ditch, I’ll think of you and how you handled it. Have a wonderful day today!
Thanks Diane. I wish I was always that shining example but if I can help someone this time it will be worth it. 🙂 You have a great day as well.
When that happens, first I talk with God about it and then I need to re-direct my energies into something productive–bake a cake, take a walk, scrub the tub, etc.
Neither one of those ideas are in my wheelhouse Pam. I don’t bake cakes, I don’t take walks (i prefer to ride) and I don’t scrub the tub (not that I’m opposed to it). it was late Sunday afternoon so neither of those would have worked. I did talk with God, however mad i was. 🙂
I do love your positive attitude, Bill. We can always choose the side of the bed we get up on; may we always choose the good over the not good.
Blessings!
Thanks Martha. Since I am a Sanguine I do tend to be up and positive. I like it that way and pray God allows me to see life through His glasses. And I do want us to choose the good over the not so good.
Sorry to hear about you losing an hour of work. I will try to take on a bit of your positivity this morning. Discovered yesterday afternoon that the gas company that has an easement through our property in Owen County for their pipeline took it upon themselves to clear another 10 feet on each side of the pipeline a couple weeks ago. Found out when we arrived to mow yesterday and now seeing stumps and wood chips and broken and mutilated trees up the full pipeline. I can’t say my attitude is positive… I am just trying to gauge what my reaction should be at this point. I wouldn’t be as upset, but the wood chips they left, were shot into our woods and covered the area we have historically hunted morel mushrooms. They also nearly wiped out our wild blackberry bushes that were alongside the pipeline. The pipeline as it was, I could mow with my mower, however, the newly butchered area has stumps and all sort of debris which will not treat my mower well. Sorry I am using your blog as a place to vent… but I now have to make a choice… I can choose to let this continue to fester and anger me or I can keep my cool and behave as I know Christ would want me to behave… I won’t lie… these are the times it is hard for me to be maintain my Christian attitude.
Yes to supper tonight!! And the wanton disregard for your property is maddening. Big corps think they can run roughshod over people. I’m not sure what the outcome will be but I do pray you will be able to keep your attitude the way Jesus would. I will pray for that.
My favorite verse to go to when things are not what I want or what I want to deal with is Philippians 4:11-13. No matter what I am going through, it does not compare to what Jesus did for me, or all of things that Paul went through. Admittedly, sometimes it takes me longer to let this verse soak in and really apply it to my situation then it should take, but this verse is in a constant loop in my head until I believe it, and apply it.
That is what meditation is all about Gail. Allowing the verse to soak in until it becomes a part of you. I love your approach!
I will tell you, there are few things that can aggravate me more than a computer issue! I feel your pain. Your positive redirection of attitude is inspiring, Pastor Bill!
It took awhile for that positivity to kick in Cheryl. i was not a happy camper at the end of the day before.