I named my blog what I did because I have a LOT going on in my life. I haven't even put a portion of what goes on in my crazy life here... I think that posting it would actually be a downer for readers, and they'd see a side of me I rarely show in Real Life.
At work the other day, I was fixing a computer for a lady who works in the ER. A gentleman she had been working with was pretty down on his luck, and she had to deal with him as he complained about his life. He wanted to end it all, but was 'too chicken' to commit suicide. She felt a lot of pity for this man, and could see why he felt the way he did because of his circumstances.
I listened to her for a minute, and said:
"It's not what life throws at you that is the problem-- it's how you choose to deal with it. Attitude is everything."
I explained that I have things going on in my life that are pretty significant, and yet I try to wake up each day and make it a good one. I briefly outlined a few things I'm currently dealing with (severe chronic pain, having to get a stalking injunction taken out on my sister, my ex-husband's suicide, remarriage and blending families of teenagers together, etc.). She looked dumbfounded, and expressed that she never knew what kind of troubles I had been dealing with, even though she has known me for over 2 years.
I quietly offered to her, "I believe that while you may not have control over many circumstances in your life, the attitude you choose to handle those circumstances is under your control. Attitude determines your level of happiness."
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." I firmly believe there is much wisdom and truth to his words.
Monday, November 10, 2008
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12 comments:
Wow Green-J, that's huge. You're certainly winning the battle to keep going on with life as cheerily as you can. I pray I have similar strength when it's my turn to be strong.
You are sooooo right. So many people ask 'why me?' as if there is a beligerant God pointing down and saying 'let's give them something bad'. My mum used to say that a lot when she first got ill, and it was only when she accepted that it was not a punishment that she attained a kind of calm.
Everyone has a story, we all have bad breaks, and rather like fighting against pain it is worse to tighten up. Accept and relax into pain and it lessens, realise that you are not alone, that things can only get better,and that a smile can make the sun come out and you are halfway there.
Here here Jello, I am totally signed up to that way of thinking too.
There is a woman who works at a store near me. She has a shitty job, her family is always always broke and she lost her mother at the tail end of last year.
And yet she always has a cheery smile for shoppers, always chats and makes pleasantries and always makes shopping there that little bit more uplifting.
She is a shining example of having the right attitude in life.
As I suspect is the case with most people who read your blog, I had no idea. It's certainly a credit to you that you're able to fight through these troubles with such a positive outlook.
I'm with you, though, on life being a matter of how you look at things. Best of luck with everything.
I agree. I'm happy despite my lack of an Asian girlfriend. Time to work on that one.
I think it's a great philosophy and one I try desperately hard to follow, but I've formed such a bad habit about it that I have to go day by day...
Great post.
Lincoln was absolutely correct, and so are you. Of course, some folks are cursed with chemical imbalances, resulting in severe depression and other medical problems, and they need more than just a good attitude in the morning. Mostly, though, our attitudes toward life are the most important thing.
I've always admired your positive attitude in the face of terribly difficult circumstances. When you smile your whole face lights up, and I can't picture you any other way, but smiling. :-)
I love you, GreenJello.
Oh, and one other thought ...
It's the difference between waking up thinking with dread, "Good Lord, it's morning!"
or
"Good morning, Lord!"
Hey, Suz. Bless you for your wise words on this day where so many have given everything that we might have freedom.
Now, you have reminded me of a funny story one of the ladies read at a church meeting some months ago. Goes something like this:
One morning a woman awoke to find she had only three hairs left on her head. "Oh great!" said she. "I'll braid my hair today!"
The next day she awoke to find only two hairs left. "Oh great!" said she. "I'll have pigtails today!"
The next day she awoke to find only one hair on her head. "Oh great!" said she. "I'll have a ponytail today!"
The next day she awoke to find not a single hair left. "Oh great!" said she. "I don't have to do my hair at all today!"
Still raining, but I'm looking for the upside of it. There Must Be One!
O happy Tues(night)
Mrs. C.
Thanks, everyone, for all the comments.
I usually don't talk much about the REALLY interesting things of my life.... it seems that the more mundane happenings are quite a bit more amusing.
Every once in awhile, though, I do the Serious Thing, and this is what comes out.
Thanks for listening.
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