Playing in Puddles, Despite it All

Have you ever taken your 'mood temperature' on a warm, sunny day vs. a rainy day (like today)? It's so much easier to see the glass half full on a sunny, warm day isn't it? That's why we all pray for nice weather and anticipate summer vacations! Life is just...easier.

I've discovered this metaphor applies to many facets of life. It's always much easier to be happier, more supportive and loving toward others when things are going just great for you. But when you're sick, tired, frustrated or heartbroken - it feels like it takes all the energy in the world to pull yourself up from your bootstraps and function in society, forget compliment a friend or encourage a colleague.


Many of us know someone who almost never seems to be in a bad mood or upset. Somehow they are always so darn delightful even in life's most frustrating moments. Perhaps they don't believe bad days really exist, but instead "experiences and learning moments". I always believed The Secret was on to something, and I still do. It's fairly undeniable isn't it? How many people do you know who dwell on the negative and find themselves constantly troubled? Sure, some of us have dumb luck and some have bad luck, yet somehow negative thinkers always see the bad things happening instead of letting go. Some days I am the negative thinker and some days I am the positive one.

I realized recently it is just as frustrating as it is enlightening to realize how much you can control not your life, but how you live it - your destiny and your happiness, with just small adjustments in your perspective. It's a lot of pressure on yourself knowing you actually are in control. Sometimes I just want to feel bad for myself when things don't go my way, but that is such a waste of time. I strive to be both honest and positive in life and mostly - I am not interested in faking happiness to come off positive. I've learned just to laugh at myself and that seems to work very well! It is exhausting to be negative and worrisome. So why do we let it consume us? My late grandfather once told my mother, "don't let that anxiety get you, or you will die a thousand deaths." What a powerful message for anyone who has fought off anxiety, constant stress or worry. Now he is sadly gone, what did stress ever produce for him or anyone who is now passed on? Nothing - only the good matters.

Much like Mark Twain once wrote, "I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened." I love it and how true it is.

I must share this hilarious cartoon below, as my sister once shared it with me and it made me laugh so hard; mostly at myself. (Source - Google :))

In the end, there is power in things not going your way. My fondest memories took place in horrible winter storms, hurricanes at my cottage or vacations that highly depended on good weather, yet it down poured. My husband and I would not be together today had the rain let up for those 3 days we should have been camping 4th of July 2008. Here's to rainy days!

Perhaps we all need to learn to laugh and play in the puddles, despite it all. :-)