I came across the following in a magazine awhile back and it about blew my mind. I hate to admit it, but I am so guilty of this:
"WAS IT A BAD DAY
OR
WAS IT A BAD FIVE MINUTES
THAT YOU MILKED ALL DAY?'
(-sdevanny1)
Now, whenever I catch myself in a bad mood, I stop and ask myself that question.
Sometimes the answer is "Yes, it was a bad day, and chocolate better be forthcoming." (That's when my poor husband wishes he had a shell like the tortoises!)
But most times the answer is, "No, it was a moment of aggravation, of annoyance, of frustration that I let get under my skin." Once I realize that, it's like all the little dust bunnies of gloom scatter, and I can see all the shiny surfaces of my life - all the big things I am grateful for, like my husband, our health, our home - as well as the smaller moments of joy and peace I experience throughout the day - reading a good book while drinking hot coffee, watching the tortoises doze happily under their heat lamp.
Sure, we all have bad days, but maybe we don't have as many as we think we do.
*****
How about you? Are you guilty of milking those five minutes, too? Will you try asking - and answering - the question? Have any other suggestions for gaining some perspective? How do you focus on gratitude instead of a negative attitude?
