On a Day Such As This

Some days begin with a soft kitty snuggle, a hot shower, and a slow awakening to embrace them.

This was not that day.

Some days, everyone pitches in and is where we need them to be and helps without asking.

This was not that day, either, exactly.

Some days, there are moments to sit and breathe or at least drink some water.

Nope.

And I realize, quite fully, that it wasn't that day for many people around me.  Mine was not the only back to ache, mine was not the only head to be spinning, and mine were most certainly not the only nerves to feel totally frazzled by the end of the school day.

So what do I do?

After a day such as this, when my heart feels empty and a little bruised, I begin a list.  I am, as I'm sure you've seen, a list maker.


Things That Went Right!

• A coworker offered to watch my duty station so I could get some of the delicious lunch that was provided to the school today, before it all disappeared.
• Another coworker totally understood what I meant when I told her I was fighting off a bad mood yesterday.  Today she asked me if it was gone, and had such a grin when I told her yes, mostly.  
• I did, in the end, get that full lunchtime break.  Such quiet heaven.
• The majority of the people I came in contact with were patient, smiling, and understanding.
• No one threw up in the office, despite the strange stomach bug going around.
• Another coworker came up to help with phones and with parents during the busiest time of the day.  She did so with humor and grace.
• Little G shared her week with me, and her rocky day as well.
• And I got to help my Big G, something that doesn't happen as often any more.
• The cats are healthy.
• I have a fun evening planned with friends.
• The weather is STUNNING.
• We have one daffodil and one confused yellow iris growing already.

• I had chocolate.   :)

When Murphy Comes to Visit

Some weeks just stink.  Kid's sick, or you're sick...  Something breaks.  Customer service, isn't.  Weeds grow faster than you can chop them down and sometimes the bad mood makes everything even darker than it is.

I don't like Murphy, or as my friend calls this paragon of pisstivity-- Murphina.   Life becomes more difficult, and he shows up when you're least likely to be able to handle things.

Here's a secret.  Murphy, and his counterpart Murphina, are cowards.

Lily-livered, yellow-bellied cowards.

Want to know how I know that?

Because I fight back.

Yard guy quits?  Suddenly, and without notice?   Find a new one.  Quickly.   You'd be surprised what niceness comes out in people when they realize you've been stranded and you nicely ask for help.  Spend the rest of your angry energy pulling up weeds so they don't grow back after the next mow.

An order comes in for someone and it's missing stuff?  And late?   Be as polite as you possibly can, but firm.  Get things straightened out.  Then raise a mental middle finger in Murphy's direction.

Turn signal goes wonky?  It might not be a wiring failure.  It might just need a $6 bulb replacement.  And you will feel TERRIFIC when it works.

For every little irritation, black cloud, big mess and utter failure, we can find the strength within us to fight back.  And every time we do, Murphina loses her power over us.  There will always be bad days.  Sometimes bad weeks.  But humor, friendship, and chocolate go a long way to helping us keep our perspective and the emotional strength we need.

This only looks like chocolate.
In reality, it is a secret weapon.