Why Are We So Angry? – Where is the joy?

I came to a realization while grocery shopping this afternoon that people have no disregard for anyone around. I think everyone believes this, but when you really take the time to pay attention to how rude the outside world is…it makes you never want to leave the house.

In a world where everything seems to be going wrong, we sure don’t make it any easier on ourselves. I’m starting to really be aware of my selfish tendencies towards bystanders. Am I really that important? Is it really a big deal if I’m 10 minutes late? In some cases I’m sure it is important to be on time or someone does have an excuse to speed in an emergency; but we take it out on everyone!

Awareness is key to living with some joy; even if you’re aware of how bad your situation is. They say the first step to recovery is recognizing there is a problem; and trust me, we all have problems in one way or another. So instead of making it a habit to give your fellow driver the Birdie, cuss out the little old woman who walks too slow, or yell at your friend for being late to a movie….we might want to make it a habit of asking ourselves, “Why does this make me so angry?”

You might just discover that there is something completely different causing you to act this way and once you are aware, it’s much easier to calm yourself down.

My mind has more control over me than my problems ever will. That brings me some joy right there!

- M.

Which Side is the Wrong Side of the Bed?

My bed is against a wall. There is only one side I can wake up on in the morning and today definitely was not the best morning. I had no real reason to be in a mood; other than the fact it was already 100 degrees outside and I had yard work to do.

So I grabbed my Fresca (yeah, it’s my breakfast of champions) and went off to cut some grass. Sure, grass clippings, sweaty eyebrows, and the smell of gas on my fingers isn’t what I’d call a relaxing morning….but I was doing a service. I wasn’t just helping someone save some energy and water weight; I was helping someone keep pride in their property. Sometimes a man’s house is all he has.

Regardless of my crummy mood, I realized that sometimes when we do something that is a “burden” to our convenient situation (AKA air conditioned bedroom) that we tend to look past the good that we are doing. Our actions can benefit others. Example: you may work the 7 am shift at Starbuck’s, but you never know if that doctor saved a life because he was awake enough from his early morning coffee.

Yeah you have to use your imagination sometimes and really play up the inner super hero inside of you; but there is nothing wrong with that! I have one side of the bed to wake up on, so I have no excuse to use as to why I should snap at someone, cut them off in traffic, or walk around like a dark cloud hangs over me.

I say if you wake up in the morning…you’re already off to a good start! There is no such thing as a bad day, just better ones; and our perception of our current situation is up to us. We are in full control of ourselves and are the true deciders over a good or bad attitude.

- M.